In a commendable move, the Sainik Welfare Department, Kerala, has put together a list of gallantry medal winners from the state, but several familiar names synonymous with bravery are absent in the list currently published on the Department’s website.
Even admitting that the list is in the making, at least two names — names that had become household ones post-Kargil — are missing. They are that of Capt Jerry Prem Raj and Capt Radhakrishnan Nair Harshan. Capt Jerry Prem Raj was killed in the Dras Sector during the Kargil War. He was awarded the Vir Chakra, posthumously. Capt Radhakrishnan Nair Harshan of the Special Forces was awarded the Ashoka Chakra posthumously. He died battling militants in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, in 2008.
Another noticeable miss was the name of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, though he was settled in Bangalore. Major Unnikrishnan died fighting terrorists during the 2008 Mumbai attacks. He was honoured, posthumously, with the Ashoka Chakra.
As many as 468 names are listed at the moment, including that of the lone Maha Vir Chakra recipient from Kerala, Capt (Hon) Thomas Philippose.
Going by the list, Kerala has one winner of the Maha Vir Chakra and 27 recipients of the Vir Chakra, both war time gallantry medals.
Three persons have won the Ashoka Chakra, seven and 74 persons, respectively, have been awarded the the Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra, the peacetime gallantry medals.
The state boasts five recipients of the Yudh Seva Medal, which is given for wartime distinguished service. In addition to this, 234 Sena Medals and 121 Mention in Despatches too have been listed.
Missing names will be added in due course. “We may have missed out 20-30 names, including that of Malayalees living outside the state,’’ Sainik Welfare director Capt (Retd) K K Govindan Nair said. “We’ve published the list in the hope that winners who may have got left out or their families can contact us,’’ he said. One factor that has made the list possible is the massive hike the state government effected in 2012 to the monetary rewards to medal recipients.