CHME Ashu Singh SC

Chief Mechanical Engineer (CHME) Ashu Singh Rajawat hailed from Chitava village in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan. An accomplished sailor of the Indian Navy, he was serving aboard INS Viraat in 2016 as the Chief Mechanical Engineer. INS Viraat, a Centaur-class aircraft carrier, was one of the most distinguished warships in India’s naval history. Commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1987, the vessel served as the Navy’s flagship for many years and played a vital role in strengthening India’s maritime capabilities. As Chief Mechanical Engineer, CHME Rajawat was responsible for overseeing the ship’s complex engineering systems, ensuring operational readiness, and maintaining the mechanical integrity of one of the Navy’s most prestigious platforms.

Although INS Viraat had long been the flagship of the Indian Navy, this status formally shifted after the commissioning of INS Vikramaditya in 2013. Even after this transition, INS Viraat continued to serve with distinction until its decommissioning in 2017. Through his service on INS Viraat, CHME Ashu Singh Rajawat contributed to the operational excellence and proud legacy of one of India’s most iconic aircraft carriers.

On 06 March 2016 at approximately 1600 hours, a serious fire incident occurred in the ‘B’ Boiler Room of INS Viraat, one of the Indian Navy’s most prestigious and historically significant aircraft carriers. The fire originated when heat-insulation material surrounding water pipes began to smoulder, creating a highly dangerous situation in a machinery space filled with critical equipment, intense heat, and restricted ventilation. At the time, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CHME) Ashu Singh Rajawat was serving onboard. Demonstrating exceptional presence of mind and professional competence, he immediately assessed the situation and initiated the correct damage-control and firefighting procedures. Recognizing the gravity of the threat to the ship’s propulsion and auxiliary systems, he took charge of the response effort and assumed a leading role in combating the fire. For nearly 35 minutes, CHME Ashu Singh fought the blaze relentlessly alongside other watchkeepers and members of the Standing Sea Fire Party (SSFP). The conditions inside the boiler room were extremely harsh — marked by intense heat, thick smoke, and rapidly deteriorating air quality. Despite the grave personal risk, he remained steadfast at his post, coordinating firefighting efforts and ensuring that essential machinery was protected from further damage.

His leadership extended beyond technical control of the situation. Amidst suffocating smoke and rising temperatures, he ensured the safety of fellow sailors by directing and guiding firefighters to evacuate the boiler room in time, thereby preventing further casualties. His calm decision-making under extreme pressure not only safeguarded the lives of his shipmates but also averted what could have escalated into a major disaster threatening the operational integrity of the aircraft carrier. Unmindful of his own safety and disregarding the physical pain and suffocation he endured, CHME Ashu Singh continued his efforts until the fire was brought under control. In doing so, he made the supreme sacrifice while protecting his comrades and preserving one of the Navy’s most valuable assets. In recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, exemplary leadership, and unwavering commitment to the highest traditions of naval service — truly embodying the motto “Service Before Self” — CHME Ashu Singh Rajawat was posthumously awarded the "Shaurya Chakra".