Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: Lt Gen (Dr) Sarat Chandra Dash from Odisha was conferred with Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service in the Armed forces.

The Army doctor received the prestigious military medal from President of India Droupadi Murmu during a programme at Rashtrapati Bhawan today.

President conferred 94 Distinguished Service Decorations to the personnel of the Armed Forces and the Indian Coast Guard during the Defence Investiture Ceremony (Phase-2) at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Of them, 31 personnel were awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medals (PVSMs), four with Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSMs), two with Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSMs), and 57 with AVSMs for distinguished service of exceptional order.

Dr. Dash, the son of Lingaraj Dash and Basanta Manjari Devi of Raj Ranpur Garh in Nayagarh district, is an alumnus of the SCB Medical College in Cuttack. He completed his MCh Degree in Urology from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi. He has also received training in Robotic urology surgery from the USA.

Recently, Dr. Dash has retired from the Indian Army as the Deputy Chief Integrated Defence Staff.

Earlier, he was awarded Yudh Seva Medal for Kargil war and Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service by the President of India.