On May 10, 2022, President Shri Ram Nath Kovind conferred 13 Shaurya Chakras, including six posthumous, to the personnel of the Armed Forces for displaying conspicuous gallantry indomitable courage and extreme devotion to duty. 14 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals and 24 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals for distinguished service of exceptional order were also conferred.
RAKSHA MANTRI LAUNCHES TWO INDIGENOUS FRONTLINE WARSHIPS
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched two frontline warships of the Indian Navy—‘Surat’ and ‘Udaygiri’—at Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) on May 17, 2022. ‘Surat’ is the fourth Guided Missile Destroyer of the P15B class, while ‘Udaygiri’ is the second Stealth Frigate of P17A class. Both warships have been designed in-house by the Directorate of Naval Design and built at MDL. The Raksha Mantri, in his address, described the warships as an embodiment of the Government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the country’s maritime capability, with a focus on achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’.
DEPLOYMENT OF INS GHARIAL TO SEYCHELLES
As part of ongoing deployment of Indian Naval Ship Gharial in South West Indian Ocean, under Mission SAGAR IX, INS Gharial called at Port Victoria, Seychelles from May 11 to 14, 2022. The ship delivered three ceremonial Saluting Guns, with ammunition to the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF). It also transhipped one 15 m Wave Rider Patrol Boat, sourced by Seychelles from Colombo. Before calling at Port Victoria, the ship had also visited Colombo, Sri Lanka and Male, Maldives to deliver essential medical supplies.
