Indian honours and awards can be divided
into two categories :
(a)
Gallantry awards.
(b)
Non-gallantry awards.
The gallantry awards are again divisible
into two categories:
(a)
Those for gallantry in the face of the enemy.
(b)
Those for gallantry other than in the face of the enemy.
The
first category of the gallantry awards comprises :
1. Param Vir Chakra: It is
India's highest military decoration similar to the British Victoria Cross, US
Medal of Honor, or French Legion of Honor or Russian Cross of St. George. It
can be awarded to officers or enlisted personnel from all branches of the
Indian military. It is the also the second highest award of the government of
India after Bharat Ratna. The medal is a circular bronze disc 1.375 inches in
diameter. The state emblem appears in the center, on a raised circle.
Surrounding this, four replicas of Indra's Vajra. The decoration is suspended
from a straight swiveling suspension bar. It is named on the edge. On the rear,
around a plain center, are two legends separated by lotus flowers. The words Param
Vir Chakra are written in Hindi and English. A purple ribbon, 32 millimetres
(1.3 in) long, holds the Param Vir Chakra. The medal symbolizes Rishi Dadhichi,
who had donated his bones to the Gods for making Vajra.
3. Vir Chakra: Vir Chakra is the third
highest Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the
battlefield. The medal is 1-3/8 inch
circular silver medal. A five pointed star, with the chakra in the center, and,
on this, the domed gilded state emblem. The decoration is named on the rim and
suspended from a swiveling straight-bar suspender. The decoration is almost
always named and dated on the edge. Around a plain center, two legends
separated by lotus flowers; above Vir Chakra in Hindi and in English. The
ribbon is 32 mm, half dark blue and half orange-saffron. Dark blue 16 mm,
saffron 16 mm.
4. Sena, Nao Sena and Vayu Sena Medal.
5. Mention in Dispatches.
6. Chiefs of Staff Commendation Card.
1. Ashoka Chakra *
2.
Kirti Chakra *
3. Shaurya Chakra *
* These were originally named Ashoka
Chakra Class I, Class II, Class III
Among non-gallantry awards, the
following can be mentioned :
1)
Bharat Ratna.
2)
Padma Vibhushan.
3)
Padma Bhushan.
4)
Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
5)
Padma Shri.
6)
Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal.
7)
Uttam Yudh Seva Medal.
8)
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.
9)
Yudh Seva Medal.
10)
Vishisht Seva Medal.
11)
30 Years Long Seva Medal.
12)
20 Years Long Service Medal.
13)
9 Years Long Service Medal.
14)
Meritorious Service Medal.
15)
Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
16)
General Service Medal - 1947.
17)
Samar Seva Medal.
18)
Sainya Seva Medal.
19)
Videsh Seva Medal.
20)
Commendation Card.
21)
Raksha Medal.
22)
Poorvi Star.
23)
Paschimi Star.
24)
Sangram Medal.
25)
Wound Medal.
26)
25th Independence Anniversary Medal.
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