Naval Investiture Ceremony: Meritorious naval personnel presented awards

Vice-Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, conferred Gallantry and non-Gallantry Awards announced on the Republic Day this year to meritorious personnel, as well as citations to Naval units which have distinguished themselves during the past year at the Naval Investiture Ceremony.

Visakhapatnam: Meritorious naval personnel were presented with gallantry and non-gallantry awards at the Naval Investiture Ceremony (NIC) at the naval base here on Monday.

The awards were announced on Republic Day this year. Vice-Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command (ENC), gave the awards on behalf of the President of India.

The Vice-Admiral felicitated the personnel who demonstrated leadership, professional achievements and distinguished service.

The Commander-in-Chief announced a ''Jeevan Raksha Padak'' medal (for acts of courage and self-sacrifice) as well as ''Unit Citations'' for the year 2020-21 for ashore unit (establishment) and afloat unit (ship) under ENC for delivering exceptional performance over the past one year.

During the Investiture Ceremony, Cdr Prakash Vivek was conferred Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) while Rear Adm Jyotin Raina and Shri Niwash Leading Seaman were conferred Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry).

Commodores PC Maragatha Velan and R Vijay Sekhar were conferred with Nau Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty) and Captain Ravi Kumar, Ram Dular MCME II, and Shrikant Parashram Mane MCPO(UV) II were conferred with Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).

NIC is normally conducted centrally for the Navy. In view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, it was conducted locally in each command for their respective personnel.

All social distancing norms and COVID-19 protocol were followed during the ceremonial parade.

The guard of honour was inspected by the Vice-Admiral prior to reviewing the parade consisting of four platoons of naval personnel drawn from various ships and establishments of ENC.

The ceremony was also witnessed by senior dignitaries of the Navy.