The Union Home Ministry on Saturday approved the awarding of a total of 1037 personnel from all walks of service with Gallantry and Service Medals to be given on the occasion of Independence Day. The announcements include that of members belonging to the police forces, the fire services, home guards, civil defense, and correctional services.
The PMG and GM are conferred on those showing conspicuous gallantry in a situation of rescuing life, prevention of crime, or the arrest of criminals. This time the PMG would be awarded to Chaduvu Yadaiah, Head Constable currently posted at Telangana Police of Telangana State. His gallant action took place on 25th July 2022 in an Armed Robbery. He, though severely injured from knife jabs by the criminals, ran after and caught the suspects, showing superlative courage and toughness.
Of the 213 GMs to be awarded, 208 would go to police personnel. This includes 31 officers from Jammu and Kashmir, 17 each from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, 15 from Chhattisgarh, 12 from Madhya Pradesh, 7 each from Jharkhand, Punjab, and Telangana, and sizable numbers from central forces like Central Reserve Police Force with 52 recipients, Sashastra Seema Bal with 14, Central Industrial Security Force with 10, and Border Security Force with 6. Fire service personnel from Delhi and Jharkhand and home guard personnel from Uttar Pradesh will also be awarded GMs (Total 1037 personnel).
The President’s Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded for a distinguished record of service. This year, 94 PSMs would be awarded and out of this, 75 would go to members of the police service. The rest would go to personnel of the fire service, civil defense, and home guard services and also to the staff of the correctional services. Similarly, the Medal for Meritorious Service goes to persons who have rendered valuable service, marked by resourcefulness and devotion to duty. Of these 729 MSMs, 624 are for police personnel, the rest to be awarded to fire service members, civil defense and home guard personnel, and those in correctional services.
It is in this line of recognition that this announcement by the government has seen the light, which pointedly acknowledges those unique qualities of bravery and commitment, attributing the great contribution made toward public safety and service.