While sailor Vishnu P. Unni was posthumously awarded the Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) on the occasion of the Republic Day for saving a woman who attempted suicide by jumping off the Vikrant-Venduruthy bridge, five officers of the Southern Naval Command (SNC) were selected for awards by the President for their distinguished service.
Rear Admiral G. Ashok Kumar, Flag Officer Sea Training, and Rear Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, Chief of Staff, SNC, were chosen for the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).
Commodore Deepak Bansal, Chief Controller, Naval Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service, and Commodore Kapil Mohan Dhir were awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM). Surgeon Commodore Naveen Chawla, Commanding Officer of INHS Sanjivani, also won the VSM.