Shubhanshu Shukla To Receive Ashoka Chakra At Republic Day Parade Today

New Delhi: This year a special moment will be seen in the Republic Day parade. President Draupadi Murmu will present the Ashoka Chakra to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force. This is the country's biggest peacetime gallantry award.

Shubhanshu Shukla is the same officer who played the role of pilot in the mission to the International Space Station last year. His achievement is being considered a big success for the country.

Why are two women naval officers getting Shaurya Chakra?

This time, names of two women officers are also in the list of awards. Navy's Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Rupa A will be awarded the Shaurya Chakra. Both of them had traveled around the world on a small ship last year. This journey was not easy. They had to stay in the open sea for several months, battling bad weather and facing technical difficulties. She is being honored for this courage and patience.

Which other officers will get the honour?

The President has approved giving gallantry awards to a total of 70 military personnel. These also include Group Captain Prashant Balakrishnan Nair, who was the backup pilot of Shubhanshu Shukla in the space mission. He will be given the Kirti Chakra but will receive the award at a separate ceremony later.

Apart from this, many soldiers and officers will also be given the Shaurya Chakra, Army Medal, Navy Medal and Air Force Medal. Some awards will be in the names of those soldiers who are no longer in this world.

How was the journey of Shubhanshu Shukla?

Shubhanshu Shukla was born in 1985. He studied at the National Defense Academy, Pune and joined the Air Force in 2006. Till now he has flown more than 2,000 hours on several fighter aircraft. He became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station and the second Indian to go to space. Before him, Rakesh Sharma had got this opportunity in 1984.

Why is the Gaganyaan mission considered important?

India is now preparing for its first manned space mission Gaganyaan. The plan is to launch it in 2027. In this mission, Indian astronauts will remain in space for three days. The government aims to build its own space station in the future and also send humans to the moon.

What will be special about the Navy's tableau in the parade?

This year's parade will feature the naval tableau depicting the voyage of Dilna and Rupa. A glimpse of the ship in which he circumnavigated the world will also be seen in the tableau.