The Indian Navy held its prestigious Naval Investiture Ceremony at Nausena Bhawan, where 51 naval personnel were honoured for their outstanding gallantry, leadership, professional excellence, and distinguished service. The ceremony showcased the Navy’s unwavering commitment to maritime security and its ability to respond to high-risk threats in hostile environments.
The decorated honours included one Yudh Seva Medal, thirteen Nausena Medals (Gallantry), eight Nausena Medals (Devotion to Duty), and seventeen Vishisht Seva Medals.
Lieutenant Commander Vaibhav Tyagi was conferred with the Nausena Medal (Gallantry) for his role in a daring rescue operation in the Red Sea on March 6, 2024. Recalling the mission, he said, “This award has been given to me for the rescue mission we conducted during a Houthi missile attack on the merchant vessel True Confidence ST. The vessel was engulfed in flames, and its 21-member crew, severely injured and adrift in a small boat, needed urgent help. Despite not knowing their exact location, we successfully located and rescued them.”
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, congratulated the awardees and highlighted the occasion’s significance. “This ceremony marks our formal recognition of the remarkable bravery and dedication shown by our personnel. Their service ensures maritime security amidst evolving threats,” he said.
Commodore Kartik Srimal received the Yudh Seva Medal for his leadership during Operation Sankalp, launched in response to escalating maritime threats after the Israel–Hamas conflict spread into sea lanes. He described the mission’s vast scope, stating, “We operated across 5.1 million square kilometres—one and a half times India’s landmass—covering the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean. Around 21 ships with 5,000 personnel were deployed to deter drone and missile attacks and protect merchant vessels. Reconnaissance was conducted using naval aviation assets, and we integrated inputs from international agencies, merchant ships, fishermen, and our own forces to take actionable decisions.”
Lieutenant Commander Saurabh Malik, another recipient of the Nausena Medal (Gallantry), recounted his February 2, 2022 mission. “Our ship, INS Sharda, intercepted a hijacked fishing vessel taken by Somali pirates. One fisherman had tragically been killed, but we managed to rescue 19 others. Our eight-member boarding team acted swiftly to prevent the pirates from reaching Somali waters.”
The solemn event was attended by the families of the awardees and senior naval dignitaries. The ceremony concluded with a dinner hosted by the Chief of the Naval Staff in honour of the awardees.
