It must be noted that the COAS Commendation Card is the second lowest award in the hierarchy of gallantry and distinguished awards. It is awarded for “Individual acts of gallantry or distinguished service or devotion to duty performed either in operational or non-operational areas which are not of a sufficiently high order to qualify for higher gallantry or distinguished award or for which the higher award is inappropriate”. It has been argued that since there “was no direct combat”, a gallantry award would have been inappropriate. Although in this situation, this logic is open to debate, but surely given the display of exemplary courage and innovative tactics, Major Gogoi deserved a higher award given for wartime (including CI operations) distinguished service such as the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal , Yudh Seva Medal and Sena Medal (Distinguished). Or was there a reluctance that an inappropriate precedence is being set to be in sync with the “mood of the nation” and any future fallout must be minimised? Or maybe, since the present commendation is for “sustained efforts in CI Operations”, the Indian Army will consider him for a higher award for this specific act on August 15. Although an award, high or low, is an award, but tokenism in this regard was avoidable.