‘Badge of Sacrifice’ and ‘Certificate of Honour’ to family members of fallen soldiers. Here is what it means
In a ceremony at the Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi honoured the ultimate sacrifice of Indian Army personnel by presenting the ‘Badge of Sacrifice’ and ‘Certificate of Honour’ to the family members of the soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
The tribute followed the formal Defence Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan on May 22.
Who were the recipients?
The honours were conferred upon seven army personnel, and one member each from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and J&K Police.
The awards, given in recognition of the valour and supreme sacrifice, were conferred to honour Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers, and Other Ranks who were killed in enemy and terrorist action while serving the nation.
Among those remembered were Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak, Captain Deepak Singh, Havildar Rohit Kumar, Naik Dilwar Khan, Rifleman Ravi Kumar, Sepoy Pradeep Singh, DSP Himayun Muzzammil Bhat of the J&K Police, and OEM GDE-1 Vijayan Kutty G of the BRO.
What are the ‘Badge of Sacrifice’ and ‘Certificate of Honour’?
Instituted in July 1999, the ‘Badge of Sacrifice’ is a 24-carat gold-plated insignia individually engraved with the Army number, rank, and name of each fallen soldier. The reverse side bears the Indian Army insignia, symbolising eternal remembrance. The ‘Certificate of Honour’ is crafted on permanent-finish 24-carat gold foil, set in a gold-plated frame, and designed by the Directorate of Indian Army Veterans.
What is the significance of this ceremony?
The presentation, first officially held on Vijay Diwas, December 16, 1999, is a deeply symbolic Army tradition, reaffirming the nation’s gratitude and remembrance for its fallen heroes. The presence of the families, many visibly moved, served as a poignant reminder of the human cost of national security and the strength of those left behind.
These awards were directly given to honour the sacrifices made during operations related to counter-terror and counter-insurgency in J&K and the North-East, which included neutralising terrorists and the recovery of arms and ammunition.
