Army Official felicitated during an impressive Investiture Ceremony held at Ferozepur Cantonment
“Bhagat Singh is an epitome of sacrifices for our soldiers who put everything on stake to serve their mother nation. The Indian Army is ready to face any challenge be it terrorism or something else”, this was stated by Lieutenant General K J Singh, AVSM (BAR), General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command during an impressive Investiture Ceremony held at Ferozepur Cantonment area where the Lieutenant General presented Gallantry and distinguished service awards for the act of velor and discern service to 26 Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Jawans. The colourful and striking Investiture Ceremony was organized by the Golden Arrow division under the aegis of Vajra Corps.
The awards presented included One Yudh Seva Medal, 14 Sena Medals (gallantry), three Sena Medals (Distinguished) and 8 Vishisht Seva Medals. The Yudh Seva Medal was awarded to Brig. Mahendra Bhatnagar, Sena Medals (Gallantry) were awarded to Col. Avin Uthaiya, Major Pargag Gomber, Major Manjit Singh, Major Rajat Sangwan, Major Subhrapratim Bose, Major Ajay Sambyal, Major Panaj Kumar, Captain Abhay Sharma, Havaldar Baljit Singh (Retd), NK Rahul Ranjan, GDSM Jatinder Saini, SEP Ajay Kumar Singh, Gunner (DS) Mohammad Ejrael Shaikh, GDSM Sunil Kumar, Sena Medals (Distinguished) were awarded to Major General Sanjay Christopher Meston, Col. Rakesh Manocha, Col. Vikram Singh, Vishisht Seva Medals were awarded to Major General Amarjit Singh (Retd.), Brig. Gautam Ganguly, Brig. KS Shaji, Col. Satish Kumar Sharma, Col. Mohammad Imtiaz Khan, Col. Vivek Kumar Gupta, Col. Manish Kumar, Col. Rajan Kapoor.
On this occasion, 14 Units of Western Command were also conferred Unit Citation for their outstanding contribution to the Army and local populace in the preceding year including 63 Cavalry, 168 FD Regiment, 114 Armed Engr Regiment, 15 Engr Regiment, 56 Engr Regiment, 1 Guards, 25 Punjab, 4 Sikh, 14 Sikh, 13 Garh Rif., 4 JAK LI, 157 INF BN (TA), 14 Rapid ORD Unit, 217 Transit Camp.
The soldiers, their families and retired army personnel attended the glittering function. Serving Officers of Police, Civil Administration and Para-Military Forces were also invited to witness the ceremony. Prominent amongst those present were Lieutenant General NPS Hira, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps, Major General SC Meston, SM, VSM, General Officer Commanding, Golden Arrow Division and a number of other senior serving officers of Western Command.
While interacting with the media persons, the Lieutenant General Said that our hostile neighbor Pakistan is trying to ruin our youth with the help of Drugs supply in the state. He urged the media person to spread awareness against the menace of drugs. “The Army is also trying to aware the people, especially youths to abstain from the evil of drugs by organizing various camps”, he said.
Gauge-man Jatinder Saini of 21 RR said we never feel the fear when we are on duty. “My father was also an army man and always had the desire to sever my mother nation” he added. Gunner Mohammad Ejrael Shaikh of 111 Rocket Regiment said that he had received a bullet but his life was saved due to bulletproof jacket. “After that I killed three terrorists”, he chirped.
Earlier, the awardees visited the Martyr’s Memorial at Hussainiwala to pay homage to Martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.
