Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak Awarded to Twelve Rat-Hole Miners

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The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways recently presented the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak to 12 rat-hole miners during a ceremony in New Delhi.

The Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak is India's highest civilian honor for saving human lives.
The Ministry of Home Affairs manages and administers this prestigious national award.
The government presents this award to individuals who show extraordinary bravery and rescue others while facing extreme personal danger.

The government introduced this award on September 30, 1961 as part of the Ashoka Chakra gallantry series.
Originally, the administration called these awards Class I life-saving medals.
Later, the government restructured the series into three distinct levels: Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak at Tier 1, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak at Tier 2, and Jeevan Raksha Padak at Tier 3.

The main objective of this award is to honor and motivate ordinary citizens who show selfless courage during emergencies.
These critical situations include rescue efforts in mine collapses, drowning incidents, fires, landslides, electrocutions, and natural disasters.

This award is the highest level of life-saving honors and requires the rescuer to face immense personal risk.
Every citizen is eligible for this award regardless of their gender, social background, or profession.
Members of the armed forces, police, and security personnel can also receive it if they save lives outside their normal line of duty.
Winners receive a cash prize of Rs 2,00,000, a medal, a small replica, and a certificate signed by the Union Home Minister.
The government can also present this award posthumously if a rescuer loses their life while trying to save others.
State governments and central ministries submit nominations to a high-level committee, and the President of India gives the final approval.

This award honors rat-hole miners as national heroes and shows that brave public service is not limited to any specific job.
It celebrates selfless courage and inspires other citizens to help people during disasters.