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#24 (17/2000) http :1/pib .nic. in PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU GOVERNMENT OF * *

PRIME MiNISTER RELEASES COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMPS ON GALLANTRY AWARDS WINNERS

SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN PRESENTS A CHEQUE FOR Rs.3.47 CRORE TOWARDS PMs NATIONAL RELIEF FUND

New Delhi, Magha 8, 1921 January 28, 2000

The Prime. Minister, Shri A.tal Bihari Vajpayee released a set of five postage stamps to pay tribute to the Gallantry Award Winners of the Indian Armed Forces here today. The Minister of Communications. Shri Ram Vilas Paswan presided over the function. Issued by the Department of Posts, the stamps are in the denomination ofRs3/- each.

Shri Paswan also presented to the Prime Minister a cheque for Rs.3.47 crore towards Prime Ministers National Relief Fund on the occasion. The sum was contributed by the postal employees and the Department of Posts.

Earlier, recalling the supreme sacrifices made by the armed forces. Shri Vajpayee said that the set of five stamps are not only symbolic of the nations tribute to all the brave heroes of the but also serve to keep their memories alive. He said that the exemplary acts of courage displayed by the Gallantry Award Winners will carry an inspiring message to the people all over the countly, especially the young children.

Shri Paswan said that in maintaining the sanctity of the countiys borders and ensuring integrity and well being of the nation, the sacrifices of the heroes of the Indian Armed Forces form a golden chapter in the history of the country. He said that the nation acknowledges its gratitude through conferring on these heroes the, Gallantry Awards and through issue of stamps on some of the most heroic and self sacrificing of these Gallantry Award Winners, the Department of Posts pays homage to all those heroes of the Indian Armed Forces who defend the integrity of its frontiers.

The award winners on whom the stamps have been brought out PVC who was conrerreci the Pararn Vir Cha.kra' for his exemplary acts of courage and endurance during the 1948 operations of the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir; Abdul kimid PVC who was posted in the 4 h Battalion of the Grenadiers which was sent to the Khcm Karan Sector when host1lities broke out between India and Pakistan in 1965

Hamid performed deeds of super human daring during the war and was posthumously awarded the in 1966; Albert Ekka PVC who was in the 14th Batallion othe Brigade of the guards during their attack on the enemy defence at Gangasagar on the Eastern Front during the war for the liberaion of . For displaying the most conspicuous valour and determination inthe best traditions of the armed forces, he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously; N.J.S.Sekhon PVC who is remenbered for determination and valour with which he, along with his colleagues, fought off successive waves of Pakistani air attacks in December 1971. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra in 1972 and M.N.Mulla MVC who was in command of the anti submarine frigate ThIS Khukri which was on a hunter killer mission in the Arabian Sea in the 1971 war. For the supreme sacrifice he was awarded posthumously, the award of the 'Maha Vir Chakra.

The First Day Cover alongwith the information sheet is available on sale at all Philatelic BureauxlCounterS and at selected Post Offices.

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