Astronaut Shukla to get Ashoka Chakra

National honour

- Rahul Singh

President Droupadi Murmu will on Monday award the country’s highest peacetime gallantry medal, Ashoka Chakra, to Indian astronaut and fighter pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who served as pilot for the historic Axiom Mission to the International Space Station (ISS) last year, at the 77th Republic Day parade.

Two women officers will be awarded the country’s third-highest peacetime gallantry medal, Shaurya Chakra, for perhaps the first time for completing a gruelling sailing mission around the world last year.

‘On Sunday, Murmu approved gallantry awards to 70 armed forces personnel, including Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, who was the backup pilot for the space mission. Nair will be awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second highest peacetime gallantry award, at an investiture ceremony to be held later. Only Ashoka Chakra and top wartime honour Param Vir Chakra are awarded at the Republic Day parade.

The other awards approved by the President include two Kirti Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras, one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two ‘Vayu Sena Medals (Gailantry).