S Ahmad
New Delhi, Jan 25: The President of India has approved a series of prestigious gallantry and service awards for personnel of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, in recognition of their conspicuous bravery, exceptional devotion to duty, and distinguished service in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.
The awards honour Coast Guard officers and personnel who have demonstrated exemplary courage and professionalism while protecting the country’s vast coastline, responding to emergencies at sea, and strengthening maritime security under challenging operational conditions.
Among the highest honours, Additional Director General Donny Michael, PTM, TM, has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for his distinguished service. The Vishisht Seva Medal has been conferred on Deputy Inspector General K. S. Sitaram.
The President’s Tatrakshak Medal (Distinguished Service) has been awarded to Inspector General Iqbal Singh Chauhan, TM, and Inspector General Datwinder Singh Saini, TM, recognising their sustained leadership and contributions to maritime security.
For acts of exceptional courage in saving lives, P/Nvk (ME) Saumyaranjan Behera has been honoured with the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak.
Three personnel have been posthumously awarded the Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry) in recognition of supreme sacrifice in the line of duty—Late Commandant Rakesh Kumar Rana, Late Commandant (JG) Vipin Babu, and Late P/Nvk (RP) Karan Singh.
The Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry) has also been conferred on Commandant (JG) Shailendra Singh Bisht, P/Nvk (RP) Gautam Yadav, and P/Nvk (RP) Banti Kumar for acts of bravery during operational duties at sea.
For meritorious service, the Tatrakshak Medal (Meritorious Service) has been awarded to Deputy Inspector General Vinod Kumar Parmar, Deputy Inspector General Arun Kumar Bhardwaj, Deputy Inspector General Sudhakar Patil, Commandant Indu P, and P/Adh (RO) Tapas Kumar Banerjee.
According to the Indian Coast Guard, the awardees have played a vital role in protecting India’s maritime boundaries, responding to maritime emergencies, and maintaining a robust maritime security framework. Their actions reflect the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and commitment to national service.
As the nation marks Republic Day, the honours stand as a tribute to the courage, selflessness, and dedication of Coast Guard personnel who operate across India’s extensive maritime domain, often in hostile weather and high-risk environments.
The Indian Coast Guard said the awards reaffirm its ethos of service to the nation and its resolve to ensure a safe, secure, and resilient maritime environment, upholding India’s sovereignty, security, and integrity.
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