Sainya Seva Medal (Lakshyadeep & Minicoy) Original ?

[lone wolf]

Hi All,

I have added this medal in my collection it looks like a tailor copy or a replica (not too sure).

Most unusual is the clasp which is for service in Lakshyadeep and minicoy (लक्ष्यदीप अवम मिनिकॉय), I need help from veteran collectors to check if there is any such medal issued by Ministry of defence or Government of India.

This specimen is named to 175898 H. S. Kumar POR SPL IN (unable to figure out the details of this unit either)

Appreciate any information on this medal

* will add the pictures ASAP

Thanks

Amit

[Archer]

We need the photographs!

The Southern Naval Command has been active combating piracy off the Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands ...

POR (Spl) is a naval rating - stands for Petty Officer Radio Specialist.

IN is the Indian Navy.

Edited June 8, 2011 by Archer

[RobW]

Hi All,

I have added this medal in my collection it looks like a tailor copy or a replica (not too sure).

Most unusual is the clasp which is for service in Lakshyadeep and minicoy (लक्ष्यदीप अवम मिनिकॉय), I need help from veteran collectors to check if there is any such medal issued by Ministry of defence or Government of India.

This specimen is named to 175898 H. S. Kumar POR SPL IN (unable to figure out the details of this unit either)

Appreciate any information on this medal

* will add the pictures ASAP

Thanks

Amit

Hello Amit,

While I have no great knowledge of Indian medals I am aware that the Sainya Seva medal with clasp Lakshwadeep and Minicoy, was awarded to Navy personnel, for service within the Lakshadweep island and Minicoy island areas. I do not believe that it was issued to Indian Army personnel though. That is the extent of my knowledge although I am sure that much more experienced gentlemen here would be able to provide extra detail.

Regards,

Rob

Edited June 8, 2011 by RobW

[lone wolf]

Hi,

I have updated the pics in web album sorry for poor qaulity of pics (mobile upload).

Will get them scanned and post them later over the weekend.

Archer and RobW thanks a lot for the information.

:cheers:

[lone wolf]

Hi,

I have updated the pics in web album sorry for poor qaulity of pics (mobile upload).

Will get them scanned and post them later over the weekend.

Archer and RobW thanks a lot for the information.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=amit.vishwakarma82&target=ALBUM&id=5615938113729242657&authkey=Gv1sRgCNSknZOQz-PFoQE&feat=email

[Brian Wolfe]

I will be most interested to see better photos when you can post them.

This is a clasp I was not aware of, though I do not profess to be an expert.

The photos do tend to make the medal look like a taylor's copy but that is quite common so it is not a big concern.

Looking forward to more information and better photos.

Regards

Brian

[lone wolf]

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2011/post-10846-0-74875200-1307636029.jpgHi,

here are a few pictures of the medal.

@Brian you still know more than what I do about medals, so for me you are a expert.

:cheers:

[lone wolf]

Some more

[Archer]

Thanks, Amit. Still working on it. Cannot yet find any substantiation.

Rob - you say you were aware of this bar. Can you share "chapter and verse" with us please?

Thanks!

William

[lone wolf]

Thanks William

I am also looking for more info on this one, although I have all other clasps for sainya seva medal this was pretty surprising for me i contacted the dealer who sold me this but he also have no idea of this clasp he says he brought a lot from bangalore and this medal was one among the lot.

:rolleyes:

[RobW]

Rob - you say you were aware of this bar. Can you share "chapter and verse" with us please?

Thanks!

William

Hello William,

I can't really add much more than what has already been posted here. I was conducting some other related research into the Sainya Seva Medal to the Indian Army and the areas that had been listed as 'special duty' for the purposes of pay, other conditions of service and the award of the clasps. I recall, at that time, coming across a reference to a similar list of Navy 'special duty' areas which included the Lakshwadeep and Minicoy islands amongst other islands. That document referenced service in at least the year 1998 and onwards time frame. That would at least indicate a time where this service may have attracted the form of service recognition of such a clasp. There are other reports from various internet archives which indicate that Indian Navy has had a presence in these island groups since that time in light of the need to increase the security of the Sea Lines Of Communication as well as to thwart piracy and other related events.

Having said all that this clasp is not listed as part of the list of clasps that were awarded to the Indian Army so one could conclude it may be a Navy only clasp. I am aware that at least one other clasp of the Sainya Seva Medal was also awarded only to the Navy so the precedent is there.

There does appear to be not a lot of information out there on this clasp. Hopefully the longer term collectors of Indian medals will be able to shed some more light on this subject.

Regards,

Rob

Edited June 10, 2011 by RobW

[lone wolf]

Hello William,

I can't really add much more than what has already been posted here. I was conducting some other related research into the Sainya Seva Medal to the Indian Army and the areas that had been listed as 'special duty' for the purposes of pay, other conditions of service and the award of the clasps. I recall, at that time, coming across a reference to a similar list of Navy 'special duty' areas which included the Lakshwadeep and Minicoy islands amongst other islands. That document referenced service in at least the year 1998 and onwards time frame. That would at least indicate a time where this service may have attracted the form of service recognition of such a clasp. There are other reports from various internet archives which indicate that Indian Navy has had a presence in these island groups since that time in light of the need to increase the security of the Sea Lines Of Communication as well as to thwart piracy and other related events.

Having said all that this clasp is not listed as part of the list of clasps that were awarded to the Indian Army so one could conclude it may be a Navy only clasp. I am aware that at least one other clasp of the Sainya Seva Medal was also awarded only to the Air Force so the precedent is there.

There does appear to be not a lot of information out there on this clasp. Hopefully the longer term collectors of Indian medals will be able to shed some more light on this subject.

Regards,

Rob

Hi Rob,

Is Andaman and Nicobar a air force only clas ?

Regards

Amit

[RobW]

Hi Rob,

Is Andaman and Nicobar a air force only clas ?

Regards

Amit

Hello Amit,

No that was a typo by me on my earlier post. I have corrected it as well. As far as I am aware the Andaman and Nicobar clasp is a navy only one. There are other details on this clasp and others, on earlier postings on this fourm as well at:

Samanya Seva Medal

Sainya Seva Medal

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Rob

Edited June 10, 2011 by RobW

[Archer]

The best I can do at present is this:

[1] Yes, Southern Naval Command has been busy in the vicinity of Lakshwadeep and Minicoy, as I said above.

[2] Having said that, queries to folks in New Delhi about this clasp have drawn a blank.

[3] There is a possibility that the clasp is not so much a tailor's copy as a tailor's fantasy.

[4] The search continues, however, for confirmation one way or the other.

Fascinating thread.

William

[lone wolf]

Hi William,

Thanks for the info.

I have a question ;-

if it is a tailor copy the naming of this medal was pretty much similar to originals which i have, I have checked with a service men and he did confirmed that this pattern of naming is pretty much authentic.

I have checked with a uniform and army material supplier and he says even he have never heard of any armymen awarded any such clasp, though he did mentioned that it can be a navy only clasp but hard luck I am not able to get hold anyone from INDIAN NAVY.

Need your valuable input on naming bit.

Amit

[Archer]

if it is a tailor copy the naming of this medal was pretty much similar to originals which i have

Agreed.

Need your valuable input on naming bit

Thank you. If only my input was valuable! But after almost a week none of us has been able to obtain irrefutable confirmation that the Lakshwadeep and Minicoy clasp is officially authorised.

Investigations are continuing, however, even though very slowly.

William

[lone wolf]

Any leads anyone ?????