Odisha: Naib Subedar Nuduram Soren, from Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, who attained martyrdom while fighting a marauding platoon of Chinese soldiers at the Galwan Valley in Ladakh in June last year, was conferred with the Vir Chakra (posthumously) by President. Soren’s wife received the award from the President at a defence investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Soren was born on April 2, 1977 at Bada Champauda village in Mayurbhanj district. He joined Indian Army on April 27, 1996 and after completion of his Army training, he was posted in the 16th Bihar regiment on March 27, 1997 as a Naib Subedar. Martyr Soren is survived by his wife and three daughters- Ganeswari, Manasi and Sonali.
Apart from Soren, Havildar K. Palani, Naik Deepak Singh, Sepoy Gurtej Singh also received their Vir Chakras (posthumously) for their gallant actions against the vicious attack by the Chinese Army in the Galwan valley in June last year as part of the Operation Snow Leopard.
Another Galwan martyr, Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, the commanding officer (CO) of 16th Bihar, was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (posthumously). His mother and wife received the award from President.
Earlier on Monday, Indian Air Force officer from Odisha, Air Marshal Dilip Kumar Patnaik received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal from the President to recognize his “distinguished service of an exceptional order” to the armed forces.