Bravehearts honoured at investiture ceremony

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 27

As many as 83 awards, including 22 gallantry, were presented here today by the Golden Key Division of Western Command of the Indian Army.

Lieutenant General Surinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, presented 83 awards, both for gallantry and distinguished service. Seventeen elite Combat Units of Western Command were also honoured for their professional excellence. Presentation of 22 gallantry awards was the highlight of the event wherein brief citations of the act of gallantry of 22 Army officers and soldiers were read out as their recipients were awarded these medals.

Stories of indomitable courage of the bravehearts in the face of adversities charged the atmosphere with patriotic fervour. Six of these awardees were honoured posthumously. Their wives travelledfrom far off places to participate in the awardceremony.

Guddi, the wife of late Naik Ram Singh, came from a village in Rewari district of Haryana. When asked whether she would allow her children to join the Indian Army like their father she asserted that she would motivate both her sons to join the armed forces and follow in the glorious footsteps of their father.

Neeta Deswal, the wife of late Major Amit Deswal of 21 Para, a resident of Dehradun, decided to join the Indian Army after the martyrdom of her husband fighting anti-national forces in the northeast. She is presently undergoing training at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai.

Lady Cadet Neeta Deswal said that she took the decision to join the Indian Army to fulfill the aims, aspirations and dreams of my brave husband, which she said continues to inspire and guide me at every step.

Doon Valley boasts of one of the highest numbers of gallantry award winners. Six highly decorated veterans from Dehradun also graced the occasion.