Ashoka Chakra for astronaut Shubhanshu, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to the ISS, was awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award.
• President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry awards for 69 Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day eve, including six posthumous awards.
• The awards include 3 Kirti Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras, 1 Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 6 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and 2 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
• Group Captain Shukla flew to the ISS in June 2025 as part of the Axiom-4 mission.
• IAF officer Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Major Arshdeep Singh, and Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba have been awarded the Kirti Chakra.

Detailed Insights:

• Major Arshdeep Singh led a patrol on May 14, 2025, along the Indo-Myanmar border, neutralizing multiple armed cadres and ensuring zero casualties to his troops.
• Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba eliminated a hardcore foreign terrorist during a counter-terror operation in Kishtwar.
• Ten Army personnel and two women officers of the Navy have been awarded the Shaurya Chakra.
• Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A are the two women Navy officers who have been awarded the Shaurya Chakra.
• Lieutenant Commander Dilna K sailed over 25,600 nautical miles aboard INSV Tarini as part of Navika Sagar Parikrama II between October 2, 2024, and May 29, 2025.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Ashoka Chakra: India's highest peacetime gallantry award, given for valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.
• Kirti Chakra: An Indian military decoration awarded for conspicuous gallantry, courage, and self-sacrifice.
• Shaurya Chakra: An Indian military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action or self-sacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy.