Tuesday, April 19 2005 18:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Olympic silver medallist Lt Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and two young Army Lieutenants Kanvadeep Singh and Dheerendra Singh, who made the supreme sacrifice battling terrorists, were among 48 Armed Forces personnel decorated by President APJ Abdul Kalam at the military investiture in New Delhi today (Apr 19, 2005).

Rathore who was decorated with Ati Vishist Seva Medal received a thundering ovation from a packed durbar hall as he marched upto the dais to be decorated by Kalam.

Kanvadeep Singh and Dheerendera Singh were decorated posthumously with Kirti Chakra, the nation's second highest peace award for their dare devil exploits in carrying out ambushes on Pakistani mercenaries in Jammu and Kashmir.

The President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, also presented one Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, One Bar to Ati Vishist Seva Medal, 16 Ati Vishist Seva medals, two Kiriti Chakras and 18 Shaurya Chakras, 12 of them posthumously.

Northern army commander Lt Gen Hari Prasad was awarded the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal while Deputy Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen Mohinder Puri and Lt Gen MG Girish, Director General ceremonials at army headquarters, were the recipients of Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM), the nation's highest award for distinguished service of the highest order.

Other recipients of medals included Lt Gen RK Mehta, Military Advisor in UN Headquarters and Major Gen LP Sadhotra, Commandant of the army Prestigious Research and Referral hospital in New Delhi.