The event was held onboard the aircraft carrier INS Viraat.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan today conferred gallantry and unit citations during the naval investiture ceremony held at the Naval Docks in Mumbai. 29 awards and six unit citations were conferred at the ceremony.
The event was held onboard the aircraft carrier INS Viraat, an aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy, which is perhaps one of the longest serving warships in the world.
Two officers and one sailor were awarded Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry). Late Commander Kuntal Wadhwa, the Engineer officer of INS Kolkata was awarded Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) posthumously for displaying at most courage during acceptance tests of the Carbon dioxide firefighting system onboard. Wadhwa, 42, lost his life after he inhaled carbon dioxide that was leaking from a malfunctioning unit in March last year while undergoing trials in the Mazagon Dockyard.
Commander Wadhwa's wife, Sub Lieutenant Sandhya Wadhwa, told NDTV, "On the third day after his death I decided to join the Navy. I read a post on his Facebook page and that inspired me to join the Navy. The post said keep calm and finish the job. I thought it was a message for me and he wanted to continue from where he had left." His 13-year-old son Nalin told NDTV, "It is a very moment for me to see my father get a gallantry medal."
After the ceremony, the Admiral visited naval ships INS Mumbai and INS Tarkash which returned after participating in evacuating people from strife-torn Yemen in what was called Operation Rahat.
During his address the Chief of Naval Staff complemented the crew and officers of the ships for the well-planned and executed rescue operations.
"Our men have done a brilliant job in the face of adversity. All activities carried out in the face of danger and this is an outstanding example of service before self. We have only done our duty in the service of the nation", Admiral Dhowan said.