Indian Navy officer from Odisha conferred Shaurya Chakra

BHUBANESWAR: President Droupadi Murmu presented the Shaurya Chakra to lieutenant Bimal Ranjan Behera from Odisha on Friday at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Currently, he serves as the salvage officer (Desig) onboard the upcoming DSV Nistar in the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam.
On March 6 last year, Behera courageously took the lead as a diver when the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) reported an operational emergency in the fuel production storage and offloading vessel.He dived in a perilous and hostile diving operation showing gallantry and disregard for personal safety. This act of the officer was much beyond the call of duty.
Hailing from Hadua village in Kendrapara district, Behera completed his BTech in Marine Engineering before joining the Indian Navy. He also finished his clearance diving course and obtained an MSc in Diving Technology from the Indian Navy's diving school. His father served in the Indian Army's Ordinance Core as an Ammunition Technician.
During the Defence Investiture Ceremony (Phase-1) at Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President awarded a total of 10 Kirti Chakras (three posthumously) and 26 Shaurya Chakras (three posthumously) to members of the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and State/Union Territory Police. These awards recognized their exceptional courage, gallantry, and unwavering commitment to their duty.