Service No : 42139-W

Date of Birth : October 12, 1978

Place of birth : Bilaspur (HP)

Last Rank : Lieutenant Commander

Unit : INS Jalashwa

Arm/Regt : Indian Navy

Awards : Nao Sena Medal

Martyrdom : February 10, 2008

Lt Cdr Shwet Gupta NM

Lieutenant Commander Shwet Gupta hailed from Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh and was born on 12 October 1978. Son of Shri Thakur Dass Gupta and Smt Veena Gupta, Lt Cdr Shwet Gupta was very cheerful by nature and had a strong desire to excel in everything he did. Though brilliant in academics, he participated in extracurricular activities too right from his younger days. 
 
After completing his primary schooling at Saint Mary School, Sunder Nagar in Himachal Pradesh, he got selected to join the well-known Rashtriya Military School Chail in Himachal Pradesh. The foundation of his future military career was laid in this school. He excelled in various school activities and was appointed as the School Captain. After finishing his schooling, he got admission to an Engineering college, but his love for the Armed Forces brought him to Naval Engineering College, Lonavala in Maharashtra. He did exceedingly well in all aspects of training and passed out as the Best Cadet, winning the coveted 'Sword of Honour'.
 
INS Jalashwa Incident: 01 Feb 2008
 
In 2008, Lt Cdr Shwet Gupta was serving onboard INS Jalashwa an amphibious transport dock inducted into Indian Navy on 22 June 2007.  Earlier called USS Trenton, INS Jalashwa was the only Indian naval ship to be acquired from the United States and Lt Cdr Shwet Gupta was involved in its final commissioning activities. During the commissioning phase, Lt Cdr Shwet Gupta was in charge of the Main Propulsion Plant II.  On 01 February 2008 there was a gas blast and at about 1640 hrs, Lt Cdr Shwet Gupta after his duty hours heard an emergency announcement about the blast in a compartment. Though he had just finished a strenuous watch he immediately rushed to provide assistance.
 
On reaching the scene of the incident, he saw three sailors lying face down at the bottom of the compartment due to suffocation by H2S gas. He knew that without a mask, it was very dangerous to enter the compartment, but without thinking about his personal safety, he did not waste a moment and went into the compartment. Lt Cdr Shwet Gupta bravely picked up one sailor and tied him around his waist with a rope and lifted another sailor on his shoulder and started leaving the compartment. However, by that time, he had substantial exposure to the toxic H2S gas and became unconscious. Lt Cdr Shwet Gupta displayed commendable courage in trying to rescue the trapped personnel without caring about his own safety. 
 
He was evacuated to the Naval Hospital for treatment, where he battled for his life for 9 long days. He eventually breathed his last on 10 Feb 2008. Lt Cdr Shwet Gupta was a valiant soldier and gritty officer who led by personal example in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Navy. Lt Cdr Shwet Gupta was awarded the "Nao Sena Medal" (Gallantry) posthumously for his exceptional courage, leadership, devotion to duty, camaraderie, and supreme sacrifice. 
 
Lt Cdr Shwet Gupta is survived by his father Shri Thakur Dass Gupta, mother Smt Veena Gupta, and sister Ms Shweta Gupta.
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2 Comments

  • Venkat

    2021 at 8:11 am Reply

    May god bless his soul. Prayers and respects.

  • DIPANKAR SARKAR (EX-NAVY)

    2024 at 9:26 pm Reply

    Thank You so much for publishing the brave sacrifice story of Lt. Cdr. Shwet Gupta, NM(Gallantry). He was my Divisional Officer onboard INS Jalashwa (Ex-USS Trenton) and he was very close to me. We were in USA for almost one year for acquisition of the ship, for handing-over/taking of the ship from US Navy to Indian Navy. I was very fortunate to get a chance to work under such a bravest officer of the Indian Navy. He always loved to live a life by example and in reality he proved that “DUTY BEFORE SELF”. His supreme sacrifice to save the lives of others will be always remembered in the history of Indian Navy with highest respect. If I could talk to him once, I would have said ,”Sir, You not only said, but proved it by self example”. JAI HIND SIR, PLEASE ACCEPT MY “HERO SALUTE” WHEREEVER YOU ARE!!

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