New Delhi [India], Jan 15 (NT): On the occasion of 70th Army Day, The brave hearts of Indian defense force Chief of Army Staff Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Naval Staff Sunil Lanba, and Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa paid homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi on Monday.

The Army Day marks the courageous soldiers for their sacrifice to the nation and its citizens.Gallantry awards of the Indian Army are classified into two categories: gallantry in the face of enemy and gallantry other than in the face of the enemy.

The medals awarded by the President of India for gallantry displayed at the battlefield are:

1. Param Vir Chakra (PVC)

2. Mahavir Chakra (MVC)

3. Vir Chakra

4. Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal, Vayu Sena Medal

5. Mention in Dispatches

6. Chiefs of Staff Commendation Card

The Param Vir Chakra is the higher military award. Subedar Major Bana Singh, Naib Subedar Sanjay Kumar and Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav are the only living recipients of the Pram Vir Chakra award. So far, the Mahavir Chakra has been awarded to 218 martyrs for their selfless courage in the battlefield. Most Mahavir Chakra medals were awarded after Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Vir Chakra is third in precedence and was first awarded in 1947 to Nadikerianda Bheemaiah and R Kanikasamy for Kashmir war.

In the second category, the medals awarded are awarded by the President of India for gallantry displayed away from the battlefield:

1. Ashok Chakra

2. Kirti Chakra

3. Shaurya Chakra

4. Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal, Vayu Sena Medal

5. Mention in Dispatches6. Chiefs of Staff Commendation Card

Ashok Chakra is India's highest peacetime military award. Last year, Havildar Hangpan Dada was awarded the Ashoka Chakra for killing four terrorists who had infiltrated into north Kashmir.  Five Kirti Chakras, 17 Shaurya Chakras, 85 Sena Medals, three Nao Sena Medals and two Vayu Sena Medals were also awarded.(NT)