Awardees for 2023:
Wing Commander D. Panda, Indian Air Force: Participated in over 20 mountain climbing expeditions and successfully completed the ‘Khardungla Challenge Run’ in September 2023, traversing from Khardung village (12,000 ft) through Khardung La Pass (17,618 ft) to Leh (11,000 ft).
EA (Retd) Rahul Kumar Pandey, Indian Navy: Completed the ‘High 5 Hell Ultra’ race in June 2023, a 211 km multi-stage run crossing five mountain passes, including Rohtang La and Tanglang La, under extreme weather conditions.
Awardees for 2024:
Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal, Director, National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS): Conceptualized and led the ‘Har Shikhar Tiranga’ mission, scaling the highest peaks in all 28 Indian states between October 2022 and October 2023. Currently on an expedition to Mt. Kanchenjunga, he was unable to attend the ceremony.
Chief EA (Retd) Ram Ratan Jat, Indian Navy: Secured the runner-up position in the 2024 Hell Ultra Race, a 480 km endurance run along the Manali-Leh Highway, finishing with a record time of 105 hours and 39 minutes, and earning the title of the fastest Indian to complete the race.
Sergeant Jhumar Ram Poonia, Indian Air Force: Represented India in the CISM mountaineering expedition to Mt. Elbrus (6,542 meters) in Russia, summiting the peak in July 2024 as part of an initiative to enhance international military cooperation.
The MacGregor Memorial Medal, instituted in 1888 to honor Major General Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor, recognizes acts of military reconnaissance and exploratory journeys. Post-independence, its scope expanded to include military expeditions and adventure activities. To date, 127 medals have been awarded, including 103 prior to independence.
During the ceremony, General Chauhan also urged the USI to consider posthumously recognizing Indian ‘pundits’—native explorers employed by the British in the 19th century for strategic reconnaissance missions in regions like Tibet and Ladakh. These individuals, including Kishen Singh, Abdul Majid, and Sarat Chandra Das, made significant yet unacknowledged contributions to military exploration.
The event also featured the launch of the book Bravest of the Brave, chronicling the life of Naib Subedar Chuni Lal, AC, VrC, SM, authored by Lt. Gen. Satish Dua (Retd), former Chief of Integrated Defence Staff. The book serves as a tribute to the indomitable spirit and sacrifices of Indian soldiers.
