NEW DELHI: The President's Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak was awarded posthumously to Malayali CRPF Commando R. Sooraj, who died in a flash flood while returning from Naxalite operation in Chhattisgarh's Korba district in July 2022. Sooraj hailed from Kollam Sooranad in Iravichira.

Apart from Sooraj, Mizoram's Master Antony Vanmavia and Melody Lalremruti (posthumously) received the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak on the occasion of Republic Day. Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak was awarded to seven while Jeevan Raksha Padak was given to 21 people.

The bravery award was also given to veteran army man Justin George who used trees and woods to build a bridge across a river in Kottayam, to help 20 people walk to safety in the Kerala floods.

Others on the list include Wilson, an auto driver, who saved his father and two children from the Kuthirappuzha River in Nilambur village. Malayali DIG Anil Kumar Parayil was bestowed with the Tatrakshak Medal by the Indian Coast Guard.