Trivia Thursday: Gallantry Awards Of Indian Armed Forces
As India celebrated its 75th Independence Day recently, the country also commemorates the Indian Armed Forces, which continue to uphold the hard-won independence through their glorious actions in times of both war and peace. In that light, let’s have a look at the Gallantry awards with which the Indian Army is honoured.
Crux of the Matter
In this week's Trivia Thursday, let us have a look at some interesting facts about the Gallantry Awards of Indian Armed Forces:
Wartime Gallantry Awards
There are three Wartime Gallantry Awards.
Param Vir Chakra
Rank: Highest Wartime Gallantry Award for Military.
Given for: "Most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy".
Design: The medal consists of four replicas of Lord Indra’s Vajra and has the national emblem and motto embossed in the centre.
First recipient: Major Somnath Sharma of the Indian Army. He was honoured with the award posthumously in 1950.
Maha Vir Chakra
Rank: Second-highest Wartime Gallantry Award for Military.
Given for: "Acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy on land, at sea or in the air".
Design: The medal has the national emblem and motto embossed in the centre.
Vir Chakra
Rank: Third-highest Wartime Gallantry Award for Military.
Given for: "Acts of gallantry in front of an enemy on the battlefield".
Design: The medal has the national emblem and motto embossed in the centre.
Peacetime Gallantry Awards
There are three peacetime Gallantry Awards.
Ashok Chakra
Rank: Highest peacetime gallantry award for Military.
Given for: "Act of bravery, valour, daring or self-sacrifice other than that on the battlefield".
Design: The medal has Ashok Chakra in the centre surrounded by a lotus wreath, on the obverse.
Kirti Chakra
Rank: Second-highest peacetime gallantry award for Military.
Given for: "Conspicuous Gallantry other than that on the battlefield".
Design: The medal has Ashok Chakra in the centre surrounded by a lotus wreath, on the obverse.
Shaurya Chakra
Rank: Third-highest peacetime gallantry award for Military.
Given for: "Conspicuous Gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy".
Design: The medal has Ashok Chakra in the centre surrounded by a lotus wreath, on the obverse.
Take a look at our last week’s Trivia Thursday here: Trivia Thursday: Famous Athletes Belonging To Indian Army