Param Vir Chakra
The Prime Minister recently named the 21 largest unnamed islands of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees.
About Param Vir Chakra:
- It is India’s highest military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy.
- The Param Vir Chakra was introduced on January 26, 1950, on the first Republic Day with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947.
- Literally, Param Vir Chakra means ‘Wheel (or Cross) of the Ultimate Brave’.
- It can be awarded posthumously.
- It is similar to the British Victoria Cross, US Medal of Honor, or French Legion of Honor or Russian Cross of St. George.
- Design:
- The medal was designed by Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar.
- The medal is cast in bronze and circular in shape.
- In the centre, on a raised circle, is the state emblem, surrounded by four replicas of Indra’s Vajra, flanked by the sword of Shivaji.
- On its reverse, it shall have embossed Param Vir Chakra both in Hindi and English with two lotus flowers between Hindi and English. The fitting will be swivel mounting.
- The decoration is suspended from a straight swiveling suspension bar, and is held by a 32 mm purple ribbon.
- First winner: Major Somanth Sharma, from the Kumaon regiment.
- Till now, only 21 people had been given the Param Vir Chakra award of which 14 are posthumous.
Gallantry Awards:
- They have been instituted by the Government of India to honour the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the officers/personnel of the Armed Forces, other lawfully constituted Forces and civilians.
- They are announced twice in a year – first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day.
- India’s Gallantry Awards in the order of precedence:
- Param Vir Chakra
- Ashoka Chakra
- Mahavir Chakra
- Kirti Chakra
- Vir Chakra
- Shaurya Chakra.