Subedar Shrirang Sawant SC

Subedar Shrirang Sawant was born on 1 June 1941 in Visapur village, located in the Satara district of Maharashtra. He was the son of Shri Tatyaba Shripati Sawant and Smt. Kalawati Tatyaba Sawant, and grew up in a close-knit family with two brothers, Pralhad and Chandrakant. From a young age, Subedar Sawant nurtured a deep admiration for the Armed Forces, inspired by the proud tradition of military service in Maharashtra. This passion shaped his ambition to wear the Army uniform and serve the nation. After completing his 11th class, he fulfilled this dream by joining the Indian Army. He was recruited into the 269 Engineer Regiment of the Corps of Engineers, a vital combat support arm responsible for providing mobility, counter-mobility, and engineering solutions to the fighting formations of the Army.

During his early years of service, Subedar Sawant demonstrated discipline, commitment, and technical proficiency, which earned him the respect of his peers and superiors alike. After a few years in uniform, he married Ms. Dropada, and together they built a family while he continued to serve the nation with unwavering dedication. Throughout his military career, Subedar Sawant was posted to several key locations across the country, including Chandigarh, Jammu, Sagar, Agra, Sikkim, Assam, Pune, and Kota. These diverse assignments not only broadened his professional experience but also showcased his adaptability to different terrains and operational requirements. By 1986, after nearly two decades of service, he had grown into a seasoned and highly skilled soldier. His professionalism, leadership qualities, and devotion to duty earned him the rank of Subedar, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) position—a testament to his hard work, competence, and exemplary service in the Indian Army.

Flood Relief & Rescue operation(Kota:Rajasthan): 29 Jul 1986

In the monsoon of 1986, torrential rains had lashed parts of Rajasthan, swelling rivers and flooding villages around Kota. The situation grew dire in the Katun area, about 40 kilometers from the city, where rising waters threatened to engulf entire communities. The Indian Army was called in to assist with flood relief, and among those deployed was Subedar Shrirang Sawant, a seasoned Junior Commissioned Officer of the 269 Engineer Regiment. On 29 July 1986, Subedar Sawant led a flood relief column tasked with evacuating stranded civilians and providing critical assistance to those in danger. The conditions were treacherous—the rain showed no sign of abating, and the swollen river surged with a force that could sweep away even the sturdiest of structures.

As the water level suddenly and dramatically rose, panic spread among the villagers. But Subedar Sawant remained calm and resolute. With unwavering courage, he guided his men and reassured the frightened villagers, personally leading the rescue efforts. Time and again, he waded into the raging waters to pull people to safety, putting their lives before his own. In one such attempt, as he worked tirelessly to save yet another group of stranded villagers, the floodwaters surged unexpectedly, sweeping him away in their relentless current. Despite all efforts to locate him, Subedar Sawant’s life was claimed by the very waters he had braved to protect others. His supreme sacrifice that day saved numerous lives, leaving an indelible mark of heroism and selflessness. For his extraordinary bravery and unflinching devotion to duty, the Government of India posthumously awarded Subedar Shrirang Sawant the "Shaurya Chakra", one of the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry honours—a fitting tribute to a soldier who gave his all in service to others.

Subedar Shrirang Sawant is survived by his wife Smt Dropada Sawant, sons Dr Sudhir Sawant & Shri Sunil Sawant and daughter Ms Sudarshana Sawant. 

Citation for the "Shaurya Chakra" awarded to him reads:-

On 29 Jul 1986 Subedar Shrirang Sawant was the commander of a flood relief column at place called Katun 40 kms from Kota. There was a sudden rise in water level, he without caring for his life continued his duty of saving people, While Performing his duty he lost his life. For this Act of bravery and his supreme sacrifice he was awarded Shaurya Chakra (posthumous).

Maharashtra Gaurav Puruskar:

In 1990, Subedar Shrirang Sawant was honoured with the ‘Maharashtra Gaurav Puruskar’ by the Government of Maharashtra in recognition of his exceptional gallantry and dedicated service to the nation. This prestigious award reflected the Maharashtra state’s deep appreciation for his bravery, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to duty.