The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India's highest military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy, similar to the British Victoria Cross, US Medal of Honor, French Legion of Honor or Russian Cross of St. George.
The PVC was established on 26 January 1950 (the date of India becoming a republic), by the President of India, with effect from 15 August 1947 (the date of Indian independence). It can be awarded to officers or enlisted personnel from all branches of the Indian military.
It is the second highest award of the government of India after Bharat Ratna (amendment in the statute on 26 January 1980 resulted in this order of wearing).
It is the second highest award of the government of India after Bharat Ratna (amendment in the statute on 26 January 1980 resulted in this order of wearing).
The Ashoka Chakra is the peace time equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for the "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice" other than in the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded either to military or civilian personnel and may be awarded posthumously.
Design
The medal was designed by Savitri Khanolkar(born Eva Yuonne Linda Maday-de-Maros to a Hungarian father and Russian mother) who was married to an Indian Army officer, Vikram Khanolkar.
The medal is a circular bronze disc 1.375 inches (3.49 cm) in diameter. The state emblem appears in the center, on a raised circle. Surrounding this, four replicas of Indra's Vajra (the all-powerful mythic weapon of the ancient Vedic King of Gods). The decoration is suspended from a straight swiveling suspension bar. It is named on the edge.
On the rear, around a plain center, are two legends separated by lotus flowers. The words Param Vir Chakra are written in Hindi and English.
A purple ribbon, 32 millimetres (1.3 in) long, holds the Param Vir Chakra. The medal symbolizes Rishi Dadhichi, who had donated his bones to the Gods for making Vajra. Some people claim that on back "It has an image of Shivaji's sword Bhavani on the other side", but that is a popular perpetuated myth.
The Indian General Service Medal (1947) which contained the Bhavani sword was withdrawn later.
Recipients
| Name | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Major Som Nath Sharma | November 3, 1947 | Badgam, Kashmir |
| Lance Naik Karam Singh | October 13, 1948 | Tithwal, Kashmir |
| Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane | April 8, 1948 | Naushera, Kashmir |
| Naik Jadu Nath Singh | February 1948 | Naushera, Kashmir |
| Company Havildar Major Piru Singh Shekhawat | 17 July 1948–18 July 1948 | Tithwal, Kashmir |
| Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria | December 5, 1961 | Elizabethville, Katanga, Congo |
| Major Dhan Singh Thapa | October 20, 1962 | Ladakh, India |
| Subedar Joginder Singh | October 23, 1962 | Tongpen La, Northeast Frontier Agency, India |
| Major Shaitan Singh | November 18, 1962 | Rezang La |
| Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid | September 10, 1965 | Chima, Khem Karan Sector |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore | October 15, 1965 | Phillora, Sialkot Sector, Pakistan |
| Lance Naik Albert Ekka | December 3, 1971 | Gangasagar, Agartala Sector |
| Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon | December 14, 1971 | Srinagar, Kashmir |
| 2/Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal | December 16, 1971 | Jarpal, Shakargarh Sector |
| Major Hoshiar Singh | December 17, 1971 | Basantar River, Shakargarh Sector |
| Naib Subedar Bana Singh | June 23, 1987 | Siachen Glacier, Jammu and Kashmir |
| Major Ramaswamy Parameshwaran | November 25, 1987 | Sri Lanka |
| Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey | July 3, 1999 | Khaluber/Juber Top, Batalik sector, Kargil area, Jammu and Kashmir |
| Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav | July 4, 1999 | Tiger Hill, Kargil area |
| Rifleman Sanjay Kumar | July 5, 1999 | Area Flat Top, Kargil Area |
| Captain Vikram Batra | July 6, 1999 | Point 5140, Point 4875, Kargil Area |
Last updated on: 24/10/2019
