Param Vir Chakra is one of the highest military honours of India. During the war, soldiers who show bravery and valor are awarded the Param Vir Chakra. So far, a total of 21 brave warriors in India have been awarded the Param Vir Chakra. But do you know who designed it? You will be surprised to know that this country’s highest military honor was designed by a foreign woman.
PVC It is designed with a purple ribbon strip (32 mm) and a brass metal round shape. Four symbols of thunderbolt have been made all around it and the Ashoka symbol is made in the center of the medal. There is also a lotus symbol on the other side of the Param Vir Chakra, in which ‘Param Vir Chakra’ is written , and in English. The abbreviation PVC is written on its upper surface.
The design of Param Vir Chakra was created in the year 1913 by a woman from Switzerland ‘Eve Yvonne Maday de Maros’.
Marrying a military officer, had changed his name
Eva had become acquainted with the spiritual and cultural heritage of India at an early age. Gradually his interest went on increasing towards India. When she grew up, she met Vikram Khanolkar from Maharashtra, who was an officer in the army. He was undergoing training at the National Military Academy of Britain. Eva fell in love with Vikram in his teens and then both got married. After marriage in the year 1932, Eva changed her name to Savitri Bai and moved to Maharashtra with Vikram Khanolkar.
Savitribai was deeply interested in Indian history and tradition
Savitri Bai Khanolkar soon became acquainted with Indian history. They got used to reading stories, tradition and religious documents of old warriors. At the same time, he was also interested in the art, music, dance and linguistics of India. Soon his dedication and education came in handy for the country. Because at that time the learned class of India was using knowledge to re-establish the identity of the country.
At that time the country’s independence was being celebrated and efforts were being made to replace whatever has been inherited from the British and focus on using whatever is in the country.
Adjutant General Hira Lal Atal was entrusted with the task of making an Indian medal equivalent to the British Victoria Cross. Then he took into confidence Savitribai, who had deep knowledge about the country. It was only after this, that the process of designing India’s coveted gallantry medal began. This design was to represent the display of strength and sacrifice of the soldiers who laid down their lives for the safety of the country and the countrymen.
The format of the medal was inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji
About this gallantry award, Savitribai Khanolkar had said that apart from the great warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, no warrior can represent it (Param Vir Chakra). Shivaji Maharaj is still remembered for his power and strategic defense policy. The powerful ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to have a sword with a thunderbolt in his shield, which was called Bhavani. According to mythology, a weapon made from the bone of a sage was used to kill enemies with the aim of doing good over evil.
The first Param Vir Chakra was awarded on the occasion of the country’s first Republic Day, celebrated in 1950. For the first time this honor was given to Major Somnath Sharma, brother of Savitribai Khanolkar’s son-in-law.
Original article- Riya Gupta
editing- G N Jha
Also read: 10 great rulers of Indian history, whose stories are still immortal
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