Ashok Chakra Award

It ranks equivalent to Param Vir Chakra in military and in the league of peacetime gallantry awards comes before the Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra awards. It is awarded for valor or courageous act of self-sacrifice in the absence from the battlefield.  A silver circular medal with Ashok chakra is embossed in the center surrounded by lotus wreath with an ornate edge. The back side of the medal has Ashok Chakra written in English and Hindi on the upper and lower edge respectively and the center area is blank. The medal is attached to a 32 mm dark green ribbon with a 2 mm central saffron stripe.

History of Ashok Chakra Award

The award was established as Ashok Chakra, Class I on 4 January 1952 which was restrained for military personnel only. It was later revised and renamed as Ashok Chakra on 27 January 1967. From 1 February 1999 the government decided a monthly stipend of Rs.1500 for Jammu and Kashmir and 1400 for rest of India.

Medallion Details of Ashok Chakra Award

Until now 57 members have been awarded with Ashok Chakra Award. The first award winner was Naik Nar Bahadur Thapa in 1952. The last award was given last year to Captain Navdeep Singh for sacrificing his life while fighting an infiltration.

List of Award Winners in India

For the complete list of Ashok Chakra Awardees visit the link given below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashok_Chakra_Award

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