Akif,
Where did you get the descitptions? Does it mean that Nishan-e-Haider and Hilal-e-Jurrat can only be awarded after death, and not to a living person?
We were told in high school that there is no such restriction in theory while awarding Nishan-e-Haider but todate it has only been conferred to martyrs.
Dunno which version is correct. Any ideas?
[This message has been edited by Pristine (edited July 31, 2001).]
Thanks for sharing.
I have heard that although so far Nishan-i-Haider has been given to martyrs, but it is also possible for an alive person to get it if he has shown high level of bravery. I think I heard it many year ago in 'Nilaam Gar' (Tariq Aziz) show. Is it true?
Plus, can non-military people also obtain Nishan-i-Haider?
Also, I remember reading in my urdu text book in school that Nishan-i-Haider is made by molding the weapons obtained as 'Maal-i-Ghanimat' from the enemy.
Pristine, its true......that nishan-e-haider and hilal-e-jurrat are only awarded to martyrs. (that was the main reason why M.M. Alam wasnt given one.....got a sitara-e-jurrat instead.)
Yes K-2, it can be given to non-military folks as well. Its just that civies dont get into such chances that often.
And yes...Nishan-e-Haider is made from the metal of a tank that was captured from india.
ok....just confirmed with my brother..
Nishan-e-haider and Hilal-e-jurrat, only for shaheeds....but.
heres the deal.
All these awards are instituted by the army. hence, they get awarded based on their decisions. There have been instances where civilian rulers (prime ministers and presidents) have 'recommended' alive men, civilians for a nishan-e-haider, but there is an unwritten rule that neither of these categories will get one.
[This message has been edited by Akif (edited July 31, 2001).]
Yes, same was the case with Capt. Naveed, who captured Quaid Post, as it was later shown in Alpha Bravo Charlie by PTV
May I know aap kiss school main parhay thay? pristine? BEcause everyone knows that Nishan e Hiader is given to Shuhdaa!
[quote]
Originally posted by Pristine:
**Akif,
Where did you get the descitptions? Does it mean that Nishan-e-Haider and Hilal-e-Jurrat can only be awarded after death, and not to a living person?
We were told in high school that there is no such restriction in theory while awarding Nishan-e-Haider but todate it has only been conferred to martyrs.
Dunno which version is correct. Any ideas?
[This message has been edited by Pristine (edited July 31, 2001).]**
[/quote]
LOL @ Alibeta’s comment.
Akif, This question always confused me.
What is the difference between Nishan-e-Haider and Hilal-e-Jurrat. I mean if both are given to martyrs then how the differenciation is made between the two medals.
Also, as far as Nishan-e-Haider is concerned, I thought it is not only made up of the tank but general armament captured from the Hindu army.
Another thing which I must mention that Nishan-e-Haider is named after Hazrat Ali (ra) as he is famous for his bravery.
Khan sahib..
there is a very fine line between the two. And the line is decided by the conferring committee.
Basically, when a soldier commits himself to an act which carries a one way ticket, (not in a suicidal way of course), he is awarded a nishan-e-haider. Like Sipahi Sawar Hussain Shaheed, NH. He was a sipahi, the lowest NCO rank…and he was a driver…not one meant to handle weaponry. But what he did was more than many weapon handlers did. Sitting in the vehicle that he was driving, himself surrounded by mines, and in full view of the indian artillery, he didnt think once about making a U-turn. Instead he decided to make the best use of his vantage point, and started guiding Pak artillery fire towards the right spot..and during that move, he was hit head on with countless burts of ammunition. He gave his life, but in the most classiest of ways. Thats nishan-e-haider material
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
I think in most cases, its pretty easy to decide as to who gets Nishan-e-haider, and who gets Hilal-jurrat.
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/ok.gif
I think I have an understanding of that fine line and think all who got Nishan-e-Haider equally deserved it.
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
I personally quite impressed with Rashid Minhas and Raja Aziz Bhatti.
Its obvious that Nishan-e-Haider has never been given to a living person as yet. But if there is a rule which prohibits a living person from getting this medal, then it can only be an unwritten rule, and I am not aware of it.
I did a brief research, but only found a private website which had explanations for these medals. There is no mention that Nishan-e-Haider can only be given to Shuhadaa. Also note that it says it can be given to civilians as well, though as Akif explained it has never been approved by the military as yet. Again, an unwritten rule. 
http://www.pakarmy.8m.net/Operational.htm
**
Nishan-e-Haider**
IT IS THE HIGHEST GALLANTARY AWARD AND IS THE SENIOR MOST AMONG CIVIL AND MILITARY AWARDS. IT IS ADMISSIBLE TO ALL RANKS FOR ACTS OF HEROISM/ CONSPICUOUS COURAGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES OF EXTREME DANGER OR DEVOTION TO THE COUNTRY IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ENEMY ON LAND, AT SEA OR IN THE AIR.
Also,
This is interesting, as I never knew that its only army which decides these awards. I thought that a joint services commission awards such medals.
Hmmm… we learn a new thing every day.
Pristine…
all these awards were originally purely meant for military cadres. Gradually, though superficially the label of ‘military awards’ has been removed, the fact remains that there is perhaps no other govt. department that allows its members the opportunity to get in a situation where they can ‘be brave’ and get an award for it.
There are alternative awards for civies, ie, Nishan-e-Pakistan, and Pride of performance, which are given to every tom, dick, noor jahan and harry. For this reason, I think it serves the military better to retain the NHs and the SJs exclusively for themselves…kinda helps retain the dignity and importance of these awards…if u know what i mean
I am sure by Army he meant the Joint Services....
ICBM Target Coords: 27.500S, 153.017E
the site is great, but the explanations of the awards here is incorrect.
[quote]
Originally posted by Akif:
*Pristine....
*
[/quote]
Oh yeah. I agree completely. To each their own. N-e-H should be kept for military personnel.
I am just nit-picking whether a soldier can ever hope to get N-e-H alive if he shows "highest level of gallantry" and "acts of heroism, conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger or devotion to the country in the presence of the enemy" or do you have to die for this?
who---me: You mean its not just army?
Akif, please clarify. Thanks. :)
yes who-me is right. its just that my assn with the army makes me refer to the entire pak military as ‘pak army’
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
its the chairman, joint chiefs of staff who presides over the board taking the decision.
and regarding sacrificing for the country, there is no sacrifice higher than that of your life. So yes, martyrdom is a pre-req.
Basically the premise is, that this is the ultimate award in Pak armed forces…and you go out on the highest note. Now if a nishan-e-haider were to be awarded to a live person, and later on that person did something to degrade himself, it would undermine the dignity of the award. Yes, u can always take it back, but u cant help think that ‘this guy’ was awarded the NH.