Four Kalbadevi martyrs to get President’s Medal

Mumbai: The four ‘martyr’ Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) officials, who lost their lives while performing firefighting operations in the Kalbadevi fire two years ago, will be felicitated posthumously with the President’s Fire Service Medal in a special ceremony on April 20 at the Gateway of India.

Sudhir Amin

The chief fire officer (CFO) Sunil Nesarikar, deputy CFO Sudhir Amin, assistant divisional fire officer Sanjay Rane and station officer Mahendra Desai had succumbed to the injuries suffered while bringing under control the fire at Gokul Nivas building in Kalbadevi area on May 9, 2015. The death of these senior fire officials made 2015 the annus horribilis of the 130-year-old MFB.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) two years ago at a special meeting had passed a resolution recommending ‘martyr’ status to the four officers. Following this, the state government not only accorded them ‘martyr’ status, but also wrote to President Pranab Mukherjee requesting that they be conferred gallantry awards.

Sunil Nesarikar

According to the fire officials, the President’s Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Services is awarded only to those who have performed service of conspicuous merit and shown utmost devotion to duty. “Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is likely to attend the event. The families of these four officials have been invited to attend the function and receive the medal,” said an MFB official.

The event will be organised as a part of the fire safety week, which will be observed from April 14-20.