Ashok Chakra Award Winners List
The Ashoka Chakra is India’s highest peacetime military decoration, awarded for valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. Established on January 4, 1952, it is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra, which is awarded for wartime bravery. The Ashoka Chakra can be conferred upon both military personnel and civilians who display acts of conspicuous bravery or self-sacrifice.
Notable Recipients of the Ashoka Chakra
Here is a chronological list of some distinguished recipients of the Ashoka Chakra:
- 1952:
- Flight Lieutenant Suhas Biswas: Recognized for his exceptional bravery in rescuing refugees during communal riots.
- Havildar Bachittar Singh: Honored for his courageous actions in the face of danger.
- Naik Narbahadur Thapa: Awarded for his gallant efforts in protecting civilians.
- 1985:
- Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma: The first Indian astronaut, honored for his contribution to space exploration.
- 1987:
- Neerja Bhanot: A flight attendant who sacrificed her life while saving passengers from hijackers on Pan Am Flight 73.
- 2008:
- Major Dinesh Raghu Raman: Recognized posthumously for his leadership and bravery during counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
- 2016:
- Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami: Posthumously awarded for his valor during operations against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
- 2018:
- Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala: Posthumously honored for his exceptional bravery during an anti-terrorist operation in Jammu and Kashmir.
- 2019:
- Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani: Former militant turned soldier, posthumously awarded for his bravery during an operation in Kashmir.
- 2022:
- Assistant Sub-Inspector Babu Ram: Posthumously recognized for his gallant actions during counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Recent Awardees
As of the latest available information, the most recent recipient of the Ashoka Chakra is Assistant Sub-Inspector Babu Ram of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, who was posthumously awarded in 2022 for his exceptional bravery and dedication during counter-terrorism operations.
Significance and Legacy
The Ashoka Chakra stands as a symbol of the highest civilian and military valor in peacetime. It honors individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness, often at the cost of their own lives. The legacy of these awardees continues to inspire future generations to act with bravery and integrity in the face of adversity.
For a comprehensive list of all Ashoka Chakra awardees and detailed citations of their acts of bravery, you can visit the official Gallantry Awards portal of the Government of India.