Latest news with #VishishtSevaMedal
Hans India
21 hours ago
- Hans India
Risky situations fail to dissuade Major Kavitha from rafting forward!
Visakhapatnam: Breaking stereotypes and braving the odds, Medical Officer of Indian Army Major Kavitha Vasupalli embarked upon a horrendous journey laced with life-threatening risks and insurmountable challenges. Spanning 1,040-km from the Indo-Tibetan border, Arunachal Pradesh to the Indo-Bangladesh border, she took part in a historic and daring river rafting expedition along the Brahmaputra River. Led by Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal, director NIMAS, a Tenzing Norgay awardee, the expedition is considered equivalent in challenge to summiting Mount Everest in the adventure space. Apparently, Maj Kavitha turned out to be the only woman participant in this world-record journey that began in the month of February. She successfully summited Mt. Gori Chen, the highest climbable peak in Arunachal Pradesh. Despite rough weather conditions, she rendered emergency medical aid to a fellow climber at high altitude. Serving the Indian Army from 2021, Kavitha, a native of nondescript village of Metturu, pursued her MBBS at Government Medical College in Srikakulam district. Apart from getting awarded with Chief of Army Staff commendation 2025, Major Kavitha was honoured with Vishisht Seva Medal on the Republic Day this year for her exemplary courage, service and dedication. Her name gained an entry into the World Book of Records (London) for this achievement. After wrapping up the outstanding feat along with the team, Kavitha met Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer. Heaping praise on her, the Governor said, 'We often hear spiritual or geographical tales of the Brahmaputra, but this is the first time I've heard of an adventurous story of battle and bravery on its waters. Major Kavitha's adventure is one of sheer determination and grit. She has brought pride to Andhra Pradesh and to every Indian who takes pride in the Armed Forces. The Governor encouraged Kavitha to continue inspiring others and keep bringing honour to the state and country. Sharing her experience, Kavitha recalled, 'The Brahmaputra was magnificent. But it's also merciless. One day, a giant wave had hit us with such force that our raft flipped. In those few seconds, we were completely underwater, unsure of whether we would be alive or not. But we didn't panic as we trusted our training. We held on to each other and eventually survived. That moment showed me how thin the line is between life and death and how powerful courage and calmness could be.' Fond of swimming since childhood, Kavitha says, 'I'm a girl from a remote village in Srikakulam. If I could make it, so can anyone,' she adds.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Krishna Swaminathan to head Western Naval Command
MUMBAI: Vice-admiral Krishna Swaminathan, currently vice-chief of naval staff, has been appointed the new chief of the Western Naval Command headquartered in Mumbai. Swaminathan will take over as flag officer commanding-in-chief (FOF-in-C) of the Western Naval Command from vice-admiral Sanjay Singh on July 31. Krishna Swaminathan to head Western Naval Command Swaminathan was appointed as vice-chief of naval staff on May 1, 2024. Earlier, he was chief of staff in Mumbai. Commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1987, Swaminathan is a specialist in communication and electronic warfare. A recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal, he has held several key operational positions and staff and training appointments during his career. These include the command of missile vessels INS Vidyut and INS Vinash, missile corvette INS Kulish, guided missile destroyer INS Mysore, and aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. Swaminathan was also flag officer offshore, Defence Advisory Group, and advisor, Offshore Security and Defence, to the Government of India.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Kavitha creates history in river rafting expedition
New Delhi/Srikakulam: In a remarkable display of courage and endurance, Major Kavitha Vasupalli, a medical officer in the Indian Army, has made history as the sole woman participant in a world-record-setting Brahmaputra river rafting expedition. The team navigated a staggering 1,040 kilometre in just 28 days, travelling from Gelling village near the Indo-Tibetan border to Hatsingimari, close to the Indo-Bangladesh border. A native of Metturu village in Srikakulam district, Major Kavitha faced formidable challenges. She braved Grade 4+ rapids, freezing waters, and multiple raft flips. Undeterred by nature's fury, she demonstrated not only incredible physical resilience but also immense mental fortitude. This journey was a battle against the river's wildest forces, demanding peak physical fitness and unwavering emotional and mental endurance. Major Kavitha's journey represents the spirit of the modern Indian soldier: bold, compassionate, and unstoppable. In recognition of her selfless service and indomitable spirit, she was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal on Republic Day 2025. She also received the COAS Commendation Card for her life-saving medical actions during the Mt. Gorichen summit expedition. Her participation in the expedition is an inspiration, particularly for women in rural India, proving that courage knows no gender and grit has no boundaries. The historic expedition was led by Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal, a renowned adventurer, Tenzing Norgay Awardee, and a three-time Everest summiteer. As the director of the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), his leadership was instrumental in turning the journey into a landmark achievement in global adventure sports. World Book of Records, London, also gave a certificate of participation in the adventurous journey in Brahmaputra to her. Kavitha's name was entered in World Book of Records in March 2025 for her achievement for the river rafting expedition.
India.com
01-07-2025
- General
- India.com
Air Marshal Sivakumar Takes Charge As Air Officer-In-Charge Administration
Air Marshal S. Sivakumar VSM took charge as Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA) at Indian Air Force Headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday, an official said. The Air Marshal was commissioned in the Administration branch of the IAF in June 1990. He holds an MBA in HRM from Pondicherry University and an MPhil degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Osmania University. In a career spanning over 35 years, the Air Marshal has held a number of important Command and Staff appointments which include Senior Air Traffic Control Officer of a forward base, represented IAF in the UN Mission at Congo, Air Force Examiner and Chief Administrative Officer of a premier Flying Station. He has also worked as Command Works Officer and Command Personnel Staff Officer at two Operational Commands, Air Officer Commanding of an Equipment Depot, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Air Force Works) at Air Headquarters and Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration of an Operational Command. Before assuming the present appointment, the Air Marshal was Director General (Administration) at Air HQ. He is a recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal. Earlier on June 1, Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann took over as Senior Air Staff Officer of Western Air Command. The Air Marshal, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on December 16, 1989. He has flown over 3,000 hours primarily on various types of fighter aircraft. He is a Pilot Attack Instructor and in his operational career, he has commanded a fighter squadron, been Chief Operations Officer of a forward base and Air Officer Commanding of a premium fighter base. On May 2, Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari PVSM AVSM VM took charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff. Prior to assuming charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, he was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at South Western Air Command. In recognition of his distinguished service, the Air Marshal was awarded the Presidential Award of Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2025, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022, and Vayu Sena Medal in 2008.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Neeraj Chopra conferred honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Territorial Army
Double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra was on Tuesday conferred with the Honorary Rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. The appointment, according to The Gazette of India, a weekly public journal and an authorised legal document of the Government of India, came into effect on April 16. 'No 3 (E) dated 9th May 2025 in exercise of the powers conferred by Para -31 of the Territorial Army Regulations, 1948, the president is pleased to confer on sEx- Sub Maj Neeraj Chopra, PVSM, Padma Shri, VSM, Village & Post Office Khandra, Panipat, Haryana with effect from 16 April, 2025,' a statement from Major General GS Choudhry, Joint Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, read. Neeraj, who was earlier enrolled as a Junior Commissioned Officer in the rank of Naib Subedar in the Indian Army on August 26, 2016, was awarded the Arjuna Award two years later. He received the Khel Ratna and Vishisht Seva Medal for his meritorious service before getting promoted to the rank of Subedar in 2021. Two years after being awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the highest peacetime medal of the Indian Armed Force in 2022, he was promoted to the rank of Subedar Major. In 2022, the former World Champion was also named recipient of the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India. The javelin thrower will start his season on Friday at the Doha Diamond League, following which he will compete at the 71st Janusz Kusocinski Memorial, a World Athletics Continental Tour (Silver Level) meet in Chorzow, Poland, on May 23. He is also set to participate in the Ostrava Golden Spike 2025 athletics meet in the Czech Republic city on June 24, hoping to be third-time lucky after pulling out in the last two editions due to injuries. He was originally set to be the face of the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on May 24 before it was indefinitely suspended due to India-Pakistan border tensions. Related Topics Neeraj Chopra
