Description

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Context

Presentation of the prestigious MacGregor Memorial Medals for outstanding contributions in military reconnaissance, exploration and adventure activities.

Awarded by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.

About MacGregor Memorial Medal

Aspect	Details
Instituted	July 3, 1888
In Memory of	Major General Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor — founder of United Service Institution
Original Purpose	Recognize military reconnaissance and exploratory journeys.
Expanded Scope (Post-1986)	Includes military expeditions and adventure activities. Open to all ranks of Armed Forces, Territorial Army, Reserve Forces, Rashtriya Rifles and Assam Rifles.
Administered by	United Service Institution of India.
Total Medals Awarded	127 medals so far including 103 awarded before Independence.

Notable Past Recipients

Captain F.E. Younghusband(1890) — explorer of the Gobi Desert and Central Asia.
Major General Orde Charles Wingate(1943) — known for Chindit operations in Burma.
Major Z.C. Bakshi(1949) — for military reconnaissance in India.
Colonel Narinder Kumar(1978–81) — exploration of Siachen Glacier laying groundwork for Indian control.
Commander Dilip Donde— first Indian to solo-circumnavigate the globe by sailboat.
Lieutenant Commander Abhilash Tomy— solo non-stop circumnavigation around the world.

Other Highlights

Book Launch of Bravest of the Brave.

Biography of Naib Subedar Chunni Lal, an Ashoka Chakra awardee.

Author: Lt. Gen. Satish Dua (Retd.), former Chief of Integrated Defence Staff.

Sources:

HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the MacGregor Memorial Medal:

It was instituted in the memory of Major General Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor, the founder of the Indian Military Academy.
Post-Independence, the eligibility for the medal was expanded to include all ranks of the Armed Forces and associated reserve forces.
Colonel Narinder Kumar, awarded the medal, played a key role in the exploration of the Siachen Glacier.
The MacGregor Memorial Medal is administered by the Indian Army Headquarters.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: B.

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect:

The medal was instituted in memory of Major General Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor but he founded the United Service Institution of India not the Indian Military Academy.

Statement 2 is correct:

After Independence and especially post 1986 eligibility expanded to include all ranks of the Armed Forces, Territorial Army, Reserve Forces, Rashtriya Rifles and Assam Rifles.

Statement 3 is correct:

Colonel Narinder Kumar's explorations of the Siachen Glacier (1978–81) were critical in India's strategic control over the region.

Statement 4 is incorrect:

The MacGregor Memorial Medal is administered by the United Service Institution of India not directly by Indian Army Headquarters.