New Delhi: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Wednesday decorated 64 armed forces personnel for valour and meritorious service at a defence investiture at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Among those decorated, three young officers — Captain Vishal Bhandral of Garhwal Rifles, Lt. Natarajan Parthiban of Five Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and Major Manish Hiraji Pitambare of Special Forces — were honoured posthumously with Kirti Chakra, the nation's second highest peace time award, for their dare-devil exploits against militants in Jammu and Kashmir.

The President's honours list included 15 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 22 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals and 24 Shaurya Chakra, 13 of them posthumously.

Among the recipients of PSM included Lt. Gen Deepak Kapoor, Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Daljeet Singh, Western Army Commander, Lt. Gen Mohan Pande, Director General Military Operations, Air Marshal P.K. Mehra, AOC-in-C South Western Air Command and Air Marshal B. N. Gokhale, Vice Chief of Air Staff.

Most of the Shaurya Chakra winners were for valour against militants in Jammu and Kashmir and North East. As 13 widows marched up to receive the awards on behalf of their late husbands, the Ashoka Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan resounded to thunderous applause.

The distinguished gathering included the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Defence Minister A. K. Antony, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, three services chief and other dignitaries.

PM meets Kalam

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met Mr. Abdul Kalam and discussed various issues.

Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesman S.M. Khan said the two leaders met for nearly 25 minutes immediately after a defence investiture ceremony and ``discussed issues of national importance''.

Official sources said the meeting was unscheduled and was firmed up during the function itself.

The meeting came in the backdrop of the police firing at Nandigram in West Bengal that claimed 14 lives and the adjournment of the Lok Sabha on Tuesday a day ahead of schedule. — PTI

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