MP villager awarded for gallantry posthumously

New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) Mr Sitaram Sharma from Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh was posthumously decorated with bravery award, Shaurya Chakra, for showing exemplary courage in apprehending some miscreants and in the process losing his life.

The award, given away by President A P J Abdul Kalam, was received by his widow Siya Devi at the Defence Investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here last evening.

Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A K Antony and the chiefs of Army, Air Force and the Navy were present on this occasion.

Late Mr Sharma had, on August 18, 2005, challenged four armed miscreants trying to kidnap two villagers in a car in Jauri Brahmin tehsil of Bhind district on hearing the cries of the kidnapped for help. He attacked the kidnappers with a thorny stick resulting in the kidnappers trying to flee leaving behind the kidnapped. As Mr Sharma did not allow the kidnappers to escape and stood in their way, the miscreants fired at him killing him.

UNI