Page 190 - Failure to Triumph - Journey of A Student

My Target Service Selection Board (SSB)

Know Your Medals: Param Vir Chakra

Once I went Allahabad for my SSB interview and in my PI, the interviewing officer asked me “Why
you want to join the defence forces?” I replied: “Because I want to win the Param Vir Chakra.” and
after that there were lots of counter questions based on PVC which I was not able to answer
because I didn’t knew anything about it.
So if you are planning to answer something like that or you are planning to say I am passionate for
defence forces that then I would suggest you to do your homework. So I have written this article just
to give an insight about the highest military decoration of India. Though don’t forget to read about
other medals as well.

Param Vir Chakra is the highest military decoration awarded in India for displaying the highest
degree of bravery and courage in the presence of the enemy whether on Land, Sea or Air i.e. in a
war or a conflict. It can be awarded to posthumous soldiers as well as alive soldiers of all the three
branches of Indian Military i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force. It is equivalent to Victoria Cross of Britain
and it is the second highest award given by Government of India (first is Bharat Ratna).

Design of Param Vir Chakra:

The medal symbolizes Rishi Dadhichi, who had donated his bones to the Gods for making Vajra.
The medal was designed by Savitri Khanolkar who was married to an Indian Army officer. The medal
is in the shape of a circular bronze disc with a diameter of 1.375 inches (3.49 cm). The national
emblem lies in the center on a raised circle.

Four replicas of Indra's Vajra surround it. The medal is suspended from a straight swiveling
suspension bar. It is named on the edge. A purple ribbon, 32 millimeters (1.3 in) long, holds the
Param Vir Chakra. 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.
Recipients of Param Vir Chakra are mentioned below: