NEW DELHI: At the United Service Institution of India (USI), New Delhi, five Armed Forces personnel were honoured with the prestigious MacGregor Memorial Medal for their outstanding contributions in the fields of military reconnaissance, exploration, and adventure.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan felicitated the recipients during the solemn event.
The awardees for the year 2023 include Wing Commander D Panda from the Indian Air Force and EA (R) Rahul Kumar Pandey from the Indian Navy. For the year 2024, CHEAA (R) Ram Ratan Jat of the Indian Navy and Sergeant Jhumar Ram Poonia of the Indian Air Force were presented with the medal.
Additionally, Col Ranvir Singh Jamwal, Director of the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), was conferred the medal for 2024. He was not present to receive the honour in person, as he is currently part of a mountaineering expedition to Mt. Kanchenjunga.
Instituted in 1888 to commemorate Maj Gen Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor, the medal initially recognised military reconnaissance and exploration. Post-independence, its scope was broadened in 1986 to include military expeditions and adventure activities, making it open to all ranksโserving or retiredโof the Armed Forces, Territorial Army, Reserve Forces, Rashtriya Rifles, and Assam Rifles.
To date, 127 MacGregor Medals have been awarded, with 103 of those prior to independence. Esteemed past recipients include Capt FE Younghusband (1890), Maj Gen Orde Charles Wingate (1943), Maj ZC Bakshi (1949), Col Narinder Kumar for Siachen exploration, and solo circumnavigators Cdr Dilip Donde and Lt Cdr Abhilash Tomy.
The event also marked the launch of Bravest of the Brave, a book chronicling the life of Naib Subedar Chunni Lal, AC, VrC, SM. The book, authored by Lt Gen Satish Dua (Retd), was unveiled by General Chauhan, who praised its heartfelt portrayal of a soldierโs courage and sacrifice.
The MacGregor Memorial Medal ceremony stands as a powerful tribute to the spirit of adventure and valour within the Indian Armed Forces, celebrating feats that continue to inspire generations.
