Mysuru/Mysore: Major Smitha Lakshman, who has been awarded ‘Vishisht Seva Medal’ for her services to the Indian Army, was conferred ‘Rotary Sainik Desh Rathna Award’ by Wing Commander (retd.) Girish Kumar at a programme organised jointly by Rotary Mysore Midtown and Shrisainik Family at Rotary Hall on JLB Road here on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Girish Kumar said that the general public must have encouraging words for soldiers who guard our borders. Pointing out that border skirmishes with Pakistan has continued for decades, he said that Pakistan was indulging in such cowardly acts as it does not have the guts to wage a war against India. Accusing Pakistan of making continuous efforts to carry out terror acts in India through infiltrators, he lauded Smitha Lakshman for taking part in military strikes against Pakistan post-Pulwama attack.

Major Smitha Lakshman, a native of Bengaluru and an Engineering graduate, joined the Army in 2010. She has served in western borders and also in Jammu & Kashmir sector. At present, she is serving at Cadets Training Wing, Military Headquarters of Warfare, Madhya Pradesh. She was part of the Indian Army team that scaled Mount Everest in 2012.On successful summit of Mount Everest, she was conferred ‘Vishisht Seva Medal’ by the Army in 2013.