President Droupadi Murmu Honors Fallen Soldiers on 79th Independence Day at National War Memorial
President Droupadi Murmu commemorated the 79th Independence Day by paying tribute to the fallen soldiers of independent India at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. Despite inclement weather marked by heavy rain, the wreath-laying ceremony maintained its solemnity with the presence of prominent military officials, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi. Two women officers from the Indian Air Force carried the ceremonial wreath, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth also attended.
On Independence Day eve, President Murmu sanctioned 127 gallantry awards along with 40 distinguished service awards for members of the armed forces and central armed police forces. These recognitions included:
| 4 | Kirti Chakras |
| 15 | Vir Chakras |
| 16 | Shaurya Chakras |
| 2 | Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry) |
| 58 | Sena Medals (Gallantry) |
| 6 | Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) |
| 26 | Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry) |
| 7 | Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals |
| 9 | Uttam Yudh Seva Medals |
| 24 | Yudh Seva Medals |
Additionally, 290 Mention-in-Despatches were conferred for exceptional service in various military operations. The recipients included 115 personnel from the Army, five from the Navy, 167 from the Air Force, and three from the Border Roads Development Board.
A significant aspect of this year's awards was the Vir Chakra awarded to nine Indian Air Force officers for their courage during Operation Sindoor. These officers—Group Captains Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, Manish Arora, Animesh Patni, Kunal Kalra; Wing Commander Joy Chandra; Squadron Leaders Sarthak Kumar, Siddhant Singh, Rizwan Malik; and Flight Lieutenant Aarshveer Singh Thakur—were commended for their precise strikes on terrorist bases in Muridke and Bahawalpur, Pakistan, as well as enemy military targets. The operation resulted in the neutralisation of at least six Pakistani aircraft.
The National War Memorial, dedicated on February 25, 2019, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, serves as a tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in post-independence conflicts, including the 1999 Kargil War and the 1961 Goa Liberation, along with operations like Pawan and Rakshak. Encompassing 40 acres, it stands as a testament to the nation's gratitude towards its armed forces.
