5 famous Param Veer Chakra (PVC) awardees who made history
Times of Bennett | Updated: Apr 03, 2023 13:08
By Anshul Saxena
Param Veer Chakra (PVC ) is the highest Wartime gallantry award in India which is awarded for displaying exemplary bravery in the presence of the enemy. PVC has been awarded 21 times since our independence, with 14 being awarded posthumously. In this blog we’d be looking at 5 famous PVC awardees who left a significant impression on the minds of Indians.
1 MajSomnath Sharma
He was independent India’s first PVC awardee. He belonged to the 4th battalion of the Kumaon regiment. He won the award due to his exceptional bravery in the 1947-48 Indo-Pak war. He has since served as a role model for Kumaon regiment which today is one of the highest decorated regiments of the Indian Army.
2 MajorShaitan Singh
He was awarded PVC in the 1962 Indo-china war. The battle which is known as Battle of Rezang La, is considered to be one of the most iconic battles fought by the Indian Army. Rezang La is a high altitude pass in the Chushul Valley in the Indian union territory of Ladakh. In 1962, more than 3,000 Chinese soldiers attacked theRezang La post . Indians were not anticipating such an attack and also did not have winter clothing. 123 soldiers led by Major Shaitan Singh , belonging to 13 Kumaon, very bravely fought the enemy while wearing summer clothing in November when the temperatures generally plummets to as low as -30 degree Celsius. The battle ended with our victory, with 116 killed on our side and as many as 1300 Chinese soldiers dying.
3 Second Lt Arun Khetarpal
He was awarded PVC posthumously for fighting bravely in the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. He belonged to the Armoured Corps, destroying various enemy tanks before getting martyred. His last words over the radio to his seniorofficer over abandoning his tank were “No sir, I will not abandon my tank. My main gun is still working and I will get these b*****ds”.
4 CaptainVikram Batra
Probably the most well known among all PVC awardees, Capt Batra belonged to 13 J and K rifles. He was awarded the PVC for his exemplary bravery and selfless service towards the nation and his army mates in the 1999 Kargil skirmish. He got martyred while rescuing his hurt subordinate. He was referred to as 'Shershaah’ by Pakistan Army in their code language. Hence, a film named Shershaah was released in 2021 with Siddharth Malhotra playing the titular role. His words “ Yeh dil maange more” has achieved a cult status among the youth who aspire to join the army.
5 GrenadierYogendra Singh Yadav
He is one of the three PVC awardees alive today. He belonged to 18 Grenadiers. He was awarded PVC for fighting in the 1999 Kargil skirmish.
Param Veer Chakra (
1 Maj
He was independent India’s first PVC awardee. He belonged to the 4th battalion of the Kumaon regiment. He won the award due to his exceptional bravery in the 1947-48 Indo-Pak war. He has since served as a role model for Kumaon regiment which today is one of the highest decorated regiments of the Indian Army.
2 Major
He was awarded PVC in the 1962 Indo-china war. The battle which is known as Battle of Rezang La, is considered to be one of the most iconic battles fought by the Indian Army. Rezang La is a high altitude pass in the Chushul Valley in the Indian union territory of Ladakh. In 1962, more than 3,000 Chinese soldiers attacked the
3 Second Lt Arun Khetarpal
He was awarded PVC posthumously for fighting bravely in the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. He belonged to the Armoured Corps, destroying various enemy tanks before getting martyred. His last words over the radio to his seniorofficer over abandoning his tank were “No sir, I will not abandon my tank. My main gun is still working and I will get these b*****ds”.
4 Captain
Probably the most well known among all PVC awardees, Capt Batra belonged to 13 J and K rifles. He was awarded the PVC for his exemplary bravery and selfless service towards the nation and his army mates in the 1999 Kargil skirmish. He got martyred while rescuing his hurt subordinate. He was referred to as 'Shershaah’ by Pakistan Army in their code language. Hence, a film named Shershaah was released in 2021 with Siddharth Malhotra playing the titular role. His words “ Yeh dil maange more” has achieved a cult status among the youth who aspire to join the army.
5 Grenadier
He is one of the three PVC awardees alive today. He belonged to 18 Grenadiers. He was awarded PVC for fighting in the 1999 Kargil skirmish.
