Param Vir Chakra- highest military decoration awarded to the one who showed distinguished courage during the war. It honours the power and sacrifices made by a soldier during a war.
It has a particular design. Each design or part of it symbolises some or the other thing. And that great and unique idea was given by a woman who was Swiss by birth by India by heart.
Who Designed Param Vir Chakra?
Eve Yvonne Maday de Maros, born in Switzerland in 1913, came to India as a teenager to understand India and its culture closely. She was very much impressed by the Hindu spirituality and culture of India. She did not like people calling her a foreigner.
She often used to say, “I am mistakenly born in Europe” as she used to consider herself Indian by heart and soul. She has read extensively from Hindu scriptures and was fascinated with Indian culture and its history.
The creator of Param Vir Chakra knew Eve’s knowledge and affection for India and hence he asked her help in designing the
Param Vir Chakra.
Why Did She Change Her Name?
During her teenage only, she fell in love with Vikram Ramji Khanolkar, who belonged to an Indian Marathi family. Vikram was doing Indian Military training in the UK. And actually, he was the reason why she moved to India initially.
After she married him, she changed her name to Savitri Bai Khanolkar.
It showed the compassion that she had for India. Unlike many people who were ready to leave a country like India to get a chance to live in some European state, Savitri Bai left Europe and European culture to embrace India and Indian culture.
Her Love and Affection for Hindu Culture
As she married into a Maharashtrian family, she lived between Hindus. She read Hindu mythology, culture and scriptures. She was very much fascinated with the culture and history of India. She was vegetarian, used to speak Hindi, Marathi and Sanskrit fluently, and has learnt Indian music, dance and painting.
She was an amazing artist.
Picture Credit: wikipedia
The Design of Param Vir Chakra
While India was enjoying the early times of independence, it was brought into the idea that we should have our own equivalent to Victoria's cross in the UK and the Medal of Honour in the US to honour the bravery and sacrifices of a soldier.
Major General Hira Lal Atal knew Savitri Bai, her painting skills, her creativity and her love and knowledge of India. Hence he approached her to think of an idea for the design of Param Vir Chakra.
And the design she gave could not be given by anyone else. The way she connected Indian culture, history and mythology to symbolise bravery and sacrifice was exceptional.
A bronze circular medal having the National emblem of India in the centre, held by a purple coloured ribbon had images of weapons. The weapons drawn on it are- The Vajra of Lord Indra according to Hindu Mythology surrounded by the sword Bhawani of Chhatrapati Shivaji, one of the greatest Hindu rulers India ever had.
The Vajra also symbolises the weapon made by Gods to kill the devils from the bones of the great sage Rishi Dadhichi.
Both Vajra and Bhawani are the symbols of power, strength, courage and sacrifice and that’s why Savitri Bai chose these as the images to be on the Param Vir Chakra.
Picture Credit: navbharattimes
Who Was Awarded Param Vir Chakra for the First Time?
Coincidentally, the first person to win the Param Vir Chakra was related to the one who designed it. Major Somnath Sharma, brother of Savitri Bai’s son-in-law was the first person to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
Param Vir Chakra is not just any other medal, it is a symbol of the awardee’s dedication and affection for our country. Many brave soldiers in our army can happily sacrifice their lives for the nation. And the Param Vir Chakra was designed to honour those people.
The fact that even though it was 1947 but the highest military award was designed by a woman shows that women are capable of doing anything they want not just in the 21st century but also during the time when they were considered incapable.
Savitri Bai’s life can teach us a lot of things, be it her compassion, fearlessness, confidence or love for a nation.
Written By: Nidhi Jha
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