The News Minute | January 26, 2015 | 12:20 pm ISTAs India celebrates its 66th Republic Day and everyone converts to a patriot to remember the people and the events that led us to become an independent and republic nation, we must not forget the individuals who have fought to ensure that the country remains so. The Chakra awards namely, The Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra are Indian military decorations awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice.They may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, sometimes posthumously. Here is this year's list.1) Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh (Posthumous)From the Rajputana Rifles/ 57th battalion The Rashtriya Rifles, Naik Neeraj killed two terrorists and saved a friend's life after he was shot at. He refused to be evacuated till he became unconscious and was evacuated by helicopter to a hospital where he died. He has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra.ASHOK CHAKRA : NK NEERAJ KUMAR SINGH (P), RAJ RIF / 57 RRMore at http://t.co/4tMOXERyVw#BraveSonsofIndia #RDAwards pic.twitter.com/WiNFYzXXJ0— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 25, 20152) Captain Jaidev Captain Jaidev of the Prachute Regiment/ 3rd battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, In an operation in Jammu and Kashmir, personally neutralised two senior and wanted terrorist commanders despite his near fatal injuries.KIRTI CHAKRA : CAPT JAIDEV , 10 PARA (SF) / 3 RRMore at http://t.co/xn4Rrd6AMD#BraveSonsofIndia #RDAwards pic.twitter.com/jTSIdRtCif— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 25, 20153) Subedar Ajay Vardhan, 14 Garh RIF (Posthumous)The valiant stance of this Junior Commisioned Officer resulted in the elimination of six hardcore terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Despite grave Gun Shot Wounds to his head and body, he held the situation till reinforcements arrived. He was awarded the Kirti Chakra.KIRTI CHAKRA : SUB AJAY VARDHAN (P), 14 GARH RIFMore at http://t.co/PIp3SWIknv#BraveSonsofIndia #RDAwards pic.twitter.com/4XjlJdTWIm— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 25, 20154) Subedar Kosh Bahadur GurungFrom the Gorkha Rifles/15th Battalion The Rashtriya Rifles, he foiled a group of heavily armed terrorists attempting infiltration and killed two terrorists on his own, for which he was awarded the Kirti Chakra.KIRTI CHAKRA : NB SUB KOSH BAHADUR GURUNG1 GR / 15 RRMore at http://t.co/r9TdgkYtdI#BraveSonsofIndia #RDAwards pic.twitter.com/06x5cxNafH— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 25, 20155) Lt Col Sankalp Kumar, 24 Punjab (Posthumous)Despite suffering from a battle wound, he volunteered to accompany an unit to field and played a pivotal role in operations and intelligence gathering.SHAURYA CHAKRA : LT COL SANKALP KUMAR (P), 24 PUNJABMore at http://t.co/GYNC196yQQ#BraveSonsofIndia #RDAwards pic.twitter.com/r8KvYs2YgT— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 25, 20156) Major Mukul SharmaMajor Mukul Sharma's gallant action led to elimination of three Pakistani infiltrators, dealing a severe blow to themSHAURYA CHAKRA : MAJ MUKUL SHARMA, 4 PARA (SF)More at http://t.co/1AGJa8q49e#BraveSonsofIndia #RDAwards pic.twitter.com/bS5SFSfrbV— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 25, 20157) Major Ashutosh Kumar PandeyMajor Ashutosh from the Rajput Regiment / 44th Battalion The Rashtriya Rifles, ensured the elimination of the district commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad dealing a heavy blow to the group.SHAURYA CHAKRA : MAJ ASHUTOSH KUMAR PANDEY, RAJPUT/44 RRMore at http://t.co/ZCWu0VkQA2#BraveSonsofIndia #RDAwards pic.twitter.com/pLf68N4RFe— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 25, 20158) Major Vamshi KrishnanFor displaying raw courage, exemplary leadership, tactical acumen with utter disregard to personal safety in eliminating two hardcore terrorists, Major Vamshi Krishnan has been awarded the Shaurya Chakra.SHAURYA CHAKRA : MAJ R VAMSHI KRISHNAN, ENGINEERS / 50 RRMore at http://t.co/VT28ur036T#BraveSonsofIndia #RDAwards pic.twitter.com/KcCmBux8mQ— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 25, 20159) Major DhondiyalMajor Dhondiyal ensured the death of two heavily armed terrorists in a district of Jammu & Kashmir.SHAURYA CHAKRA : MAJ BIBHANSHU DHONDIYAL, 5/5 GR (FF)More at http://t.co/pbzsG1eBkm#BraveSonsofIndia #RDAwards pic.twitter.com/UnbZb2io5W— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 25, 201510) Major Abhijai (Posthumous)The aviator diverted the aircraft away from a populated area instead of ejecting - after the aircraft failed, putting his own life ahead of other people.SHAURYA CHAKRA : MAJOR ABHIJAI (P), 39 (I) R&O FLIGHTMore at http://t.co/1vsMiv3Fyl#BraveSonsofIndia #RDAwards pic.twitter.com/p8tq4UJLHr— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 25, 201511) Naik Swarup Kumar Ghorai Swarup Kumar eliminated two hard core foreignterrorists and also facilitated elimination of two more heavily armedterrorists during a search and destroy operation in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.SHAURYA CHAKRA : NK SWARUP KUMAR GHORAI, 20 MAHARMore at http: http://t.co/8FvluqWSZg#BraveSonsofIndia #RDAwards pic.twitter.com/ObJQwtcOk1— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 25, 201512) Rifleman Manga Ram Rifleman Manga Ram was part of an operation that resulted in the elimination of six terrorists and recovery of huge war like stores, with utter disregard to his personal safety, while under heavy fire.SHAURYA CHAKRA : RIFLEMAN MANGA RAM, 3 JAK RIFMore at http://t.co/shCFGVPaty#BraveSonsofIndia #RDAwards pic.twitter.com/J8ixOir7Ez— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 25, 201513) Paratrooper Balvinder Singh (Posthumous) Undeterred despite being grievously wounded and bleeding profusely, the young paratrooper demonstrated unflinching bravery and killed an heavily armed, grendae lobbying terrorist, thus ensuring the safety of his remaining squad members before succumbing to injuries.SHAURYA CHAKRA : PTR BALVINDER SINGH (P), 1 PARA(SF)More at http://t.co/D89JmuCOJ9#BraveSonsofIndia #RDAwards pic.twitter.com/WfuhN14wBb— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 25, 2015TweetFollow @thenewsminute