Independence Day 2024: Over 1000 Personnel Honored with Gallantry and Service Medals

New Delhi - In a statement released on Wednesday, the Home Ministry announced that 1037 personnel from the Police, Fire, Home Guard, Civil Defense, and Correctional Services were honored with gallantry and service medals on the occasion of Independence Day 2024. These prestigious awards recognize acts of extraordinary bravery and distinguished service by the recipients.

The President's Medal for Gallantry (PMG) and the Gallantry Medal (GM) are awarded for acts of rare distinguished gallantry and specific acts of bravery in saving life and property or preventing crime. The risk involved in such acts is evaluated based on the responsibilities and duties of the officer. Head Constable Chaduvu Yadaiya of the Telangana Police was awarded the President's Gallantry Medal for his exceptional bravery in a robbery case on July 25, 2022.

According to the Home Ministry, out of a total of 213 gallantry medals, 208 were awarded to police personnel. These include 31 officers from Jammu & Kashmir Police, 17 each from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, 15 from Chhattisgarh, 12 from Madhya Pradesh, 7 each from Jharkhand, Punjab, and Telangana, 52 from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 14 from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), 10 from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), 6 from the Border Security Force (BSF), and others from various states, union territories, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Additionally, three gallantry medals were awarded to personnel from Delhi, one to a Jharkhand fire service officer, and one to a member of the Uttar Pradesh Home Guard and Civil Defense.

The President's Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded for an exceptionally outstanding record of service, while the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) is given for valuable service characterized by resourcefulness and dedication. Of the 94 President's Medals for Distinguished Service, 75 were awarded to the Police Service, 8 to the Fire Service, 8 to the Civil Defence and Home Guard Service, and 3 to Correctional Services. Among the 729 Meritorious Service Medals, 624 were awarded to Police Service, 47 to Fire Service, 47 to Civil Defence and Home Guard Service, and 11 to Correctional Services.

These awards not only honor the bravery and dedication of these personnel but also inspire others in their respective fields to continue striving for excellence in their service to the nation.