NORTHERN COMMAND INVESTITURE CEREMONY, UDHAMPUR

Udhampur

15 Jan 2010

Northern Command Investiture Ceremony for presentation of gallantry and distinguished service awards was held at the Dhruva Auditorium, Udhampur on 15 Jan 2010. Lieutenant General BS Jaswal, AVSM**, VSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command presented Forty five Sena Medals (Gallantry), Two Sena Medals (Distinguished) and Five Vishisht Seva Medals to the awardees. Twenty one GOC–in-C Appreciation Cards were also presented to units which had excelled in the last one year. Sena Medal (Gallantry) was presented to the next of kins of Late Major Padmanabhan KC, Paratrooper Nater Singh, Rifleman Sohan Lal Sharma, and Naik Karamjit Singh who had laid down their lives for the nation.

The ceremony was attended by senior civil, paramilitary and military dignitaries. Lieutenant General BK Chengapa, AVSM, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Northern Command, Lieutenant General NC Marwah, AVSM, General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps and Lieutenant General Rameshwar Roy, AVSM, YSM, General Officer Commanding, 16 Corps, were among those present.

Speaking at the function, Lieutenant General BS Jaswal, AVSM**, VSM, commended the awardees for having shown exemplary courage and devotion to duty while carrying out the onerous task of defending the motherland under trying and difficult conditions. He paid glowing tributes to those soldiers who had made the supreme sacrifice to preserve the unity and integrity of our nation. He said that today national security is the biggest challenge and Northern Command is playing a very important role in fighting this threat and providing a conducive environment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said we should learn from our history and continuously strive to fire a flame of “Nation Above All” in every Indian’s heart.

Mrs Ritu Jaswal, President, Northern Command Army Wives Welfare Association, who was also present at the function, presented gifts to the next of kins of posthumous awardees. She enquired about their well being and assured them of continuous support of the Army to help them overcome problems to realise their aspirations and live a fulfilling life.