General Upendra Dwivedi stripped the concept of bravery of its romanticism, defining it not as fearlessness, but as the capacity to execute rational decisions while bullets fly. Speaking at the Times Now Amazing Indians Awards 2026, the former Army Chief emphasized that the cost of these decisions is often one’s own life. This is a stark departure from the cinematic notion of heroism, grounding it instead in the cold, hard mechanics of survival and duty.
But the general’s definition didn’t stop at the battlefield. He drew a sharp line between the singular, explosive courage of a soldier and the “sustained courage” displayed by the award recipients. He cited specific examples: a wildlife veterinarian who has spent four decades treating animals, and former sand miners who abandoned extraction to protect birds from environmental degradation. Another awardee sold their land to build a school. These are not one-time flashes of bravery; they are a relentless, daily commitment that Dwivedi argued is entirely different from combat heroism.
Selecting these individuals required a rigorous framework to avoid personal bias. Dwivedi admitted that pre-conceived notions and personal exposure can skew judgment. To counter this, he imposed four strict filters on the selection process: Service before self, Sacrifice, Selflessness, and Sustainability. Only candidates who met these criteria made the final cut, ensuring the awards recognized tangible impact rather than just narrative appeal.
The selection process wasn’t without friction. When the jury hit a deadlock, they didn’t guess. They turned to former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. “Whenever we had any issue, the former CJI DY Chandrachud was there to give the final decision,” Dwivedi noted with a light touch. This judicial oversight lent an air of finality and impartiality to the military-led selection committee.
The ceremony concluded with this blend of military discipline and civilian reverence, setting the stage for the next cohort of nominees who must now meet this high bar of sustained, rational courage.