Mahesh Acharya

The Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army has been honoured with different military awards during India’s 63rd Republic Day celebrations. Rifleman Tej Bahadur Gurung of the 1st Gorkha Rifles, along with 15 soldiers from different Indian regiments, has been decorated with Shaurya Chakra—one of the highest military honours. 

According to the Indian Defence Ministry, Brigadier Gopal Gurung of the 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) has been honoured with Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty). Naik Bishnu Prasad Shrestha of the 7/8th Battalion and Rifleman Buddhi Jung Gurung of the 5/1st Battalion are conferred the Sena Medal (Gallantry), according to the ministry. Meanwhile, the highest civilian award—Bharat Ratna—for sportspersons was not given away this year.

The Indian media, quoting the Prime Minister’s Office, said the award would not be declared this time. However, the reasons are still unclear.

The award, which used to be conferred on luminaries in the fields of science, art and literature, was recently opened for sportspersons as well. India’s Sports Ministry had recommended names of mountaineer Tenzing Norgay Sherpa along with hockey legend Dhyan Chand and shooting star Abinav Bindra. Sherpa, who was born in Nepal, had conquered Mt Everest with Edmund Hillary of New Zealand in 1953.

The Indian Sports Ministry, however, did not recommend famed Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar despite speculations of him getting India’s highest civilian award.

Published on: 27 January 2012 | The Kathmandu Post