M A I N   N E W S

NSG commando posthumously awarded
Ashok Chakra

New Delhi, January 25
Elite National Security Guards (NSG) commando Suresh Chand Yadav, who was killed in the operation to clear terrorists from Gujarat’s Akshardham Temple in September, has been awarded the Ashok Chakra, the highest peace time gallantry award, on the occasion of Republic Day.

Fortyone-year-old Subedar Yadav, who died saving innocent lives during the operation, had joined the Army in 1979 and was part of 13 Mahar Regiment after which he moved to the CRPF.

This year only one Ashok Chakra has been announced. Yadav is survived by wife and two children.

The commando, who hailed from Khankhera village in Rajasthan’s Alwar district, was send on deputation in 2001 to the NSG in which he was a part of the 51 special action group.

While Havildar Rudal Prasad of the Army’s 4 Bihar has been honoured posthumously with Kirti Chakra, the second highest peace time gallantry award, Naik Tarlok Singh of Mahar Regiment and NSG commando Surjan Singh have also been awarded Kirti Chakra.

Twentytwo security forces personnel have been awarded Shaurya Chakra for gallantry, including Major Sukhmeet Singh of the Army’s artillery wing for the second time.

Others who have been awarded Shaurya Chakra are Major M. Sri Kumar of Sikh Regiment, Major Manpreet Singh Bains of Para Special Forces, Major D. Seshasai Murthy of Jat Regiment, Major Tejinder Pal Singh Sohal of 3 Rashtriya Rifles (Posthumous), Major Chander Shekhar Sharma of Rashtriya Rifles, Lieutenant Gaurav Singh of Kumaon Regiment, Subedar Fuman Singh of 15 Sikh Light Infantry (Posthumous), Naib Subedar Jagan Bahadur Gurung of Assam Rifles, Havildar Preet Singh of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, Havildar Gurcharan Singh of Sikh Regiment, Havildar Jaipal Singh of Garhwal Rifles 14 RR (Posthumous).

Naik Man Bahadur Chhetri of Rashtriya Rifles, Jawan Rajinder Kumar of 24 Punjab Regiment (Posthumous), Jawan Joginder Singh of Jat Regiment, Granadier Bhageerath Karwarsa of 13 Grenadiers (Posthumous), Paratrooper Satpal Singh of Para Special Forces, Sower Makhan Singh of 33 Rashtriya Rifles (Posthumous), Lt-Commander Nateshan Sai Kumar Trichnapalli, Leading Seaman Trinath Singh, Leading Hand Mahesh Pal of the Nursing Unit of Army (Posthumous) and Capt Rajesh Sharma of National Security Guards have also been awarded the prestigious Shaurya Chakra. PTI

Four get Padma Vibhushan

New Delhi, January 25
Noted danseuse Sonal Mansingh and former Sikkim Chief Minister Kazi Lhendup Dorji are among the four who have been honoured with Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second highest civilian award.

The other two awardees are well-known litterateur Balram Nanda and Ayurvedic doctor Vaid Bhrishaspati Dav Triguna, an official announcement said.

Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award, has not been conferred on any one this year.

Prominent among the 34 awardees of Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour, are industrialists Harishankar Singhania and Jamshed Godrej, actor Naseeruddin Shah, noted ghazal singer Jagjit Singh, noted heart specialist Purshottam Lal and journalists T.V.R. Shenoy and Prabhu Chawla.

Bollywood actor Amir Khan of “Lagaan” fame, actor Danny Danzongpa and actress Rakhee Gulzar are among the 54 eminent persons who have been honoured with Padma Shri.

The other Padma Bhushan awardees are classical danseuse Padma Subramanyam, Carnatic musicians Balasubramania Rajam Iyer, Krishnan Narayanan Madurai, T.V. Sankaranarayanan, Trichur V. Ramachandran and Puliyur Subramaniam Narayanaswamy, veteran RSS ideologue Dattopant Bapurao Thengadi, novelist O.V. Vijayan and renowned Oriya novelist Sitakant Mahapatra.

Among the artists who have been given this award are Ammannur Madhva Chakyar from Kerala and Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman for instrumental.

The two foreigners who have been given Padma Bhushan are Russian Dr Herbert Alexandrovich Yefromov for science and engineering and Herbert Fischer from Germany for public affairs.

Noted Supreme Court lawyer Parasaran Kesava Iyengar, orthopaedic surgeon from Pune Dr Kantilal Hastimal Sancheti, Arcot Ramachandran from Bangalore for science and engineering and Prof Bagicha Singh Minhas from Delhi have been given Padma Bhushan.

Among the prominent personalities who have been given Padma Shri are instrumental musician Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan and Carnatic musician T.M. Soundarajan.

Francis Dore from France is the only foreigner to be given the Padma Shri.

Prominent mountaineer from Uttaranchal Kanhaiya Lal Pokhriyal has also been given Padma Shri. PTI