"PARAM VIR CHAKRA" - English

"PARAM VIR CHAKRA"
"परमवीर चक्र "

This is the highest military honor of India, bestowed for incomparable bravery shown during war on Land, Sea or in Air. 21 Param Vir Chakra Awards were given till 1999, out of which 14 were awarded posthumous and 20 out of 21 Awardees were soldiers from the infantry and one belonged to the Indian Air Force.

• Granediers’ Regiment and Gorkha Rifles each got 3 Param Vir Chakras.

• Sikh Regiment, Kumaon Regiment, Jammu-Kashmir Rifles and The Poona House each were awarded 2 Param Vir Chakras.

• Bihar Regiment, Mahar Regiment, Rajput Regiment, Rajputana Rifles, Indian Core of Engineers, Jammu-Kashmir Light Infantry and Indian Air Force got one Param Vir Chakra each. 

Among the awardees, Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Tarapore was the highest ranking officer.

The shipping Corporation of India purchased oil tankers during 1983-86 which were named after the 15 winners of Param Vir Chakra of that time.

Param Vir Chakra Award is on par with the Medal of Honour (USA) and Victoria Cross (UK).

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru entrusted the responsibility of implementation of Param Vir Chakra with first Indian Dy. Controller, Major General Hiralal Atal. He requested Smt. Savitribai Khanolkar – wife of Shri Vikram Khanolkar, our Indian Officer belonging to Sikh Regiment. As a matter of chance, the First Param Vir Chakra was awarded to Major Somnath Sharma, son-in-law of Khanolkar and elder daughter of Savitribai - Ms. Kumudini Sharma’s husband.

The maiden name of Savitribai Khanolkar was Eva Evan Linda Made See Morace. Whose mother was Russian and father was a Hungarian. She was born on 20^th July, 1913 and she had love marriage (after converting to Hindu religion) with Shri Vikram Khanolkar who was a cadet of Royal Academy, at Sandhurst. She came to India in 1932 and thereafter she learnt Marathi, Sanskrit and Hindi languages. She internalized Kathakali Dance and Indian Culture. She started following Hindu traditions and she acquired expertise in Folk literature, Dance, Painting and Music. Not only this, she acquired in depth knowledge of Hindu scriptures and Indian history.

Major General Hiralal Atal was impressed by the knowledge and artistic work of Savitribai Khanolkar, therefore he entrusted the responsibility of designing Param Vir Chakra to Savitribai Khanolkar. Accordingly, Savitribai took inspiration from the story of Dadhichi Rishi in Hindu scriptures and created the design of the Param Vir Chakra. As per her design to connect with the medal there is a 32 mm broad purple ribbon. The medal is round in shape and there are 4 images of the Vajra of Lord Indra thereon. These are images of the sacrifice made by Dadhichi Rishi. The Ashok Pillar adorn the middle of the Param Vir Chakra medal. The sward of Shivaji Maharaja is also incorporated on the medal. The Param Vir Chakra is made of Bronze and its radius is 41.275 mm.

It is not that Savitribai Khanolkar designed only the Param Vir Chakra but also Ashok Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra.

Smt. Savitribai Khanolkar passed away on 26^th Nov., 1990 but of course she lives in the piece of art known as Param Vir Chakra.

We salute Smt. Savitribai Khanolkar and all the winners of Param Vir Chakra.

And because of whose sacrifice we lead a happy life today, we salute them and say –

… Jaraa, Yaad Karo Kurbani !!!

(… oh, Please Remember These Supreme Sacrifices !!!)

.... जरा याद करो कुर्बानी !!!

... Jaraa Yaad Karo Kurbani !!! 

VIVISU DEHRA published the above book on the special occasion of 20th Kargil Victory day on 26th JULY 2019.

Those readers who world like to to buy the book for their reading and collection may kindly contact me of VIVISU DEHRA on 9819504020 / 9833410365 or you can visit 
www.vivisudehra.com

This book has been printed on ART Paper in color and it is valued at Rs. 270/- as a contribution to 
VIVISU DEHRA

for its social activities.

VILAS SUTAVANE
9833410365

KUNAL SUTAVANE

9819504020

Courtesy Kishor Mushrif