Param Vir Chakra is the highest wartime gallantry award of India.The Chakra is awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre- eminent act of valour or self sacrifice, in the presence of the enemy. It was introduced on 26 January 1950. It is made of bronze. It can be awarded posthumously. Param Vir Chakra is the equivalent award of Victoria cross in the United Kingdom and the Medal of honour in the United States. Param Vir Chakra translates as the Wheel of the Ultimate brave, and the award is granted for most conspicuous bravery in the presence of enemy.
As of January 2018,the medal has been awarded 21 times. 20 have been from the Indian Army and the one has been from the Indian Air Force. Major Somnath Sharma was the first recipient. A number of state government of India as well as ministries of the central government provide allowances and rewards to recipients of the PVC ( or their family members in case of recipient’s death).
The history of modern day Indian Gallantry Awards can be tracked back to the rule of the East India company. Gold medals were awarded to Indian officers for the first time in 1795, with the first recipient being Subedar Abul Kedar of the 5th Madras Native Infantry. Post Independence, new Awards were instituted on 26 January 1950, with retroactive effect from 15 August 1947. The PVC is equivalent to the Victoria cross in the United Kingdom and the medal of honour in the United States.
Medal-: Circular in shape, made of bronze, one and three eight inches in diameter and an observe, four replicas of India’s Vajra with the state Emblem, embossed in the centre. 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.
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