War decorated to be honoured

CHANDIGARH, April 8: The war decorated soldiers hailing from Punjab will be honoured at Anandpur Sahib during the tercentenary celebratio...

CHANDIGARH, April 8: The war decorated soldiers hailing from Punjab will be honoured at Anandpur Sahib during the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa. Brig K. S. Kahlon, Director, Sanik Welfare Punjab, announced this here today, and added that the awardees or the nearest kin of as many as 17 winners of Param Vir Chakra, Victoria Cross and Ashok Chakra would be felicitated by the Punjab government in collaboration with the Anandpur Sahib Foundation at a special function on April 13.

The awardees include four Param Vir Chakra winners, five Victoria Cross winners and eight Ashok Chakra winners. Param Vir Chakra is the highest award for gallantry displayed in the face of the enemy, while the Victoria Cross is its British equivalent and was awarded to Indian troops before independence. The Ashok Chakra, on the other hand, is the highest award for gallantry other than in the face of the enemy, and is generally awarded during peacetime.

The decision to honour the heroes of Punjab was taken by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal before leaving for Anandpur Sahib.The Param Vir Chakra winners belonging to Punjab include Sub. Joginder Singh, Hon Capt. Karam Singh, Capt. Gurbachan Singh Salaria and Flg Offr. Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon. The Victoria Cross winners include Maj. Prakash Singh, Hav. Gian Singh, Capt. Ishar Singh, Lt. Karam Jeet and jamadar Nand Singh.

The Ashok Chakra winners include Lt Col. S. S. Rana, Capt. K. S. Jasrotia, Nb Sub. Gurnam Singh, Hav. Joginder Singh, Hav. Balwant Singh, Hav. Mohinder Singh, Sep. Gurbaksh Singh and a civilian, Chaman Lal.

Many of the above mentioned awards are posthumous.

In addition to the above awardees, the Punjab government has also extended a special invitation to eminent military leaders, including Air Chief Marshal Arjun Singh, Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh, Lt Gen. J. S. Arora and Lt Gen. Harbakhsh Singh, all of whom are highly decorated and now retired.

The awardees or their kin will be escorted to Anandpur Sahib through special arrangements by the respective district administrations. Officials have already been despatched to contact the awardees or the next of kin and escort them to Chandigarh, from where they will then proceed to Anandpur Sahib.

The arrangements, including special seating as well as boarding and lodging free of cost, are being carried out in co-ordination with the Department of Defence Services Welfare.