Commander Darryl Castelino
Wing Commander Darryl was a live wire energetic person who joined the Indian Air Force and was posted in the newly-raised helicopter unit stationed at Barrackpore in West Bengal.
Darryl was asked to fly to Uttrakhand for operation Rahat. He was part of the first team of rescuers to reach Uttarakhand saved thousands stranded in the remote corners. Castelino, was piloting a Mi-17 V5 helicopter in inclement weather during a rescue mission in the flood-ravaged Kedarnath, Uttarakhand. Castelino had rescued more than 300 people. The IAF chopper Darryl was commanding, which was carrying army personnel, was moving towards a temporary air base in Gauchar in Uttarakhand, when it suddenly crashed near the Jungle of Chatti, north of Gaurikund. He was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, the second highest peacetime gallantry award in the country.
Other Winners
Chief Fire Officers – When fire engulfed a 100-year-old building
Fire Officer Nitin Ivalekar – He climbed, while the others ran away
Major Atul Garje – He died to save hundreds of lives
Sepoy Laxman Gawas – Brave Maratha Regiment Sepoy