India will celebrate its 70th Republic Day on Saturday and will honour the forces with six gallantry awards — Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra.

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Many Navy and Indian Air Force officers will receive gallantry awards for saving the lives of civilians during the Kerala floods in August last year.

The awards are announced twice in a year, the two days where India remembers its fight for freedom - Republic Day and Independence Day.

Kashmiri militant-turned-soldier Lance Naik Nazir Wani has already been awarded the highest gallantry award Ashok Chakra for his bravery in operations in Shopian in Kashmir, according to an ANI report.

The awardees are honoured for their bravery in the act of saving civilians at the time of need. The awardee must showcase his bravery in the presence of the enemy, either for the 'most conspicuous bravery or pre-eminent act of valour or even self-sacrifice'.

After receiving the bravery award, the government record the act by bar and attach to a riband by which the medal is suspended. The bars will be added if the awardee continues to prove his bravery and devotion to the country. Each medal at the back will have the name of the award embossed at the back.

Here's what the gallantry awards signify:

Param Vir Chakra

The plain purple ribbon and the medal, made of bronze with the replicas of 'Indra's Vajra' and two Lotus flowers, which is India's national flower. The ritual weapon, Vajra, signifies indestructibility and irresistible force.

For the Param Vir Chakra, the awardee is required to be in the forces either as a soldier or behind the scene. The ones behind the war, who are eligible, are the hospital staff of the forces. The forces include the Naval, Military and Air Forces, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted armed forces.

Mahavir Chakra

The half-white and half-orange colour ribbon and the silver medal will be embossed with a five-pointed heraldic star. The points of the star touch the rim of the circular medal. The star, in the centre, has a domed gilded with the state emblem.

The same as per the Param Vir Chakra are eligible for this award.

Vir Chakra

The half blue and half orange ribbon with a standard silver medal has a five-pointed heraldic star with a Chakra in the middle. The Chakra will be a domed centrepiece bearing the gilded State Emblem.

The same as per the Param Vir Chakra and Mahavir Chakra are eligible for this award.

Ashoka Chakra

The green colour ribbon, divided into two equal parts by an orange vertical line, with a gold medal will have Ashoka’s Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath.

For this award, not only the ones in the forces but also civilians are eligible and honoured for their act of bravery.

Kirti Chakra

The green ribbon, divided into three parts by two orange lines, is with a silver medal. The medal will have a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath.

The same as per the Ashoka Chakra are eligible for this award.

Shaurya Chakra

The green colour ribbon, divided into four parts by three lines, is with a bronze medal. The medal will have a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath.

The same as per the Ashoka Chakra are eligible for this award.

First Published:Jan 26, 2019 6:00 AM IST