In a proud moment for Odisha, a total of 22 police officers and personnel from the state will be honoured with prestigious police medals on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day this year, recognising their exceptional service, dedication, and bravery. Two senior officers, ASP Rabindra Kumar Panda and Commandant Naresh Patel have been selected for the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, one of the highest honours in the police force. Their decades of commitment and leadership have earned them this distinguished recognition.

Eleven officers from Odisha will receive the Police Medal for Meritorious Service for their consistent dedication and exemplary performance. The awardees include Assistant Inspector General Maheshwar Sethy, Additional Superintendent of Police Pradeep Kumar Pradhan, Additional Superintendent of Police Debendra Narayan Dash, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ashish Kumar Rout, Inspector A Srinibas Dora, Deputy Superintendent of Police Hemamalni Nayak, Commandant Suryanarayan Mallick, Inspector Santosh Kumar Mirdha, Assistant Sub Inspector Arun Kumar Samanta, Assistant Sub Inspector Arabinda Das and Constable Chinmayee Rout. In addition, nine personnel from the state will be honoured with the Police Medal for Gallantry in recognition of their acts of extraordinary courage and bravery in the line of duty.

The honours are not limited to the police department alone. In Fire Services, two personnel from Odisha have been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service. In the Home Guard and Civil Defence division, one personnel will receive the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service, while three others will be conferred with the Medal for Meritorious Service. Similarly, in Correctional Services, one personnel will be honoured with the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service, and two others will be awarded the Medal for Meritorious Service.

These accolades underline Odisha’s significant contribution to the nation’s law enforcement and emergency services, with personnel across various departments demonstrating unwavering dedication, exemplary performance, and unmatched bravery. The medals will be formally presented during the 79th Independence Day celebrations, marking a moment of pride for the state.