His Majesty The King conferred the Drakpoi Khorlo Medal to Chuma Kinzang Dorji of the Royal Bhutan Army, and the National Order of Merit (Silver) to Anjan Rai and Tashi Wangchuk, both of whom are excavator operators. The Drakpoi Khorlo medal is awarded to military personnel and recognizes heroism and bravery in service of the Tsawa Sum.
Chuma Kinzang Dorji, along with 4 of his fellow soldiers, helped rescue 5 people who were stranded in the flash flood of Mao Chhu on Monday night. He was the only member of the rescue team who survived.
His Majesty granted an Audience to the families of the four soldiers who lost their lives during the rescue operation. The families received the Drakpoi Khorlo Medal on behalf of the deceased. His Majesty conferred the medals posthumously to the four soldiers, Peljab Ugyen, Gopa Pema Wangdi, Chuma Dup Tshering, and Chuma Tandin Dorji for their extraordinary courage and their supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
Also this morning, in Gelephu, His Majesty granted an Audience to all excavator operators involved in the rescue operation and thanked them for their service. The recipients of the National Order of Merit, Anjan Rai was part of the operation to rescue five people from the Mao Chhu Water Treatment Plant, and Tashi Wangchuk helped in the rescue of four forestry officials and the caretaker of Mao Chhu Water Treatment Plant. Both individuals displayed great courage and played an important part in saving the lives of the people who were rescued. The National Order of Merit recognizes outstanding civilian contributions to the Tsawa Sum.
