President Droupadi Murmu Awards Vayu Sena Medal to IAF’s Vikas Raghav for Heroic Flood Rescue
On August 15, 2023, President Droupadi Murmu awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) to Indian Air Force (Garud) Junior Warrant Officer Vikas Raghav for his exceptional bravery during a challenging humanitarian operation in Kangra to combat severe floods.
Heroic Actions in Kangra
Junior Warrant Officer Vikas Raghav led his team in a rescue mission amidst severe floods, saving a total of 494 lives. He was singularly responsible for bringing 152 people to safety.
Rescue Mission Details
During the operation, Raghav encountered a critical situation involving a paralyzed 68-year-old patient, a mother with an eight-day-old infant, and two expectant mothers. He prioritized their rescue, improvising a harness for the paralyzed patient and cradling the infant securely in his arms. He also evacuated the expectant mothers safely.
In another rescue sortie, Raghav winched up four infants without harnesses, securing them with a tactical belt and enveloping them in his arms. Despite the risks, he demonstrated exemplary bravery and professionalism throughout the mission.
Award for Exceptional Courage
For his act of exceptional courage, Junior Warrant Officer Vikas Raghav was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry).
Doubts Revealed
President Droupadi Murmu -: Droupadi Murmu is the President of India. The President is the head of the country and has many important duties.
Vayu Sena Medal -: The Vayu Sena Medal is an award given to members of the Indian Air Force for their bravery and exceptional service.
IAF -: IAF stands for Indian Air Force. It is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces, responsible for protecting India’s skies.
Junior Warrant Officer -: A Junior Warrant Officer is a rank in the Indian Air Force. It is a position of responsibility and leadership.
Kangra -: Kangra is a district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is known for its beautiful landscapes and sometimes faces natural disasters like floods.
Gallantry -: Gallantry means showing great bravery, especially in dangerous situations. It is a quality that is highly respected.
Paralyzed patient -: A paralyzed patient is someone who cannot move parts of their body, usually because of an injury or illness.
Expectant mothers -: Expectant mothers are women who are pregnant and will soon have a baby.
