Soldiers of all nations accept voluntarily hardship, risk, injury and death as normal hazards of their profession. For them courage, bravery and self-sacrifice are no more than a  duty.  However,  occasions arise in the  face of  the enemy when ordinary  bravery  and  normal  call   of duty are not good  enough  to  turn  the tide of battle or redeem the ignominy of defeat. Such occasions call for and inspire heroic deeds of valour and sacrifice beyond the usual capacity of human flesh and spirit.

Throughout the ages, appreciative monarchs and grateful governments have recognised the  exceptional  exploits of their warriors by grants  of  promotion, titles, property, pensions and other tokens of esteem. In the modern world these tokens take the form of highly coveted, richly prized and sparingly given gallantry medals such as "Victoria  Cross"  of England, "Medal of Honor" of U.S.A., "Order of Lenin" of U.S.S.R. and "Param Vir  Chakra"  of India.

When India became independent in 1947, the armed forces were called upon to safeguard its frontiers against the Pakistani invaders in Jammu and Kashmir. The jawans took up the challenge and per­formed remarkable deeds of valour, courage, endurance and self-sacrifice in repelling  and   defeating   the   Pakistanis. In recognition of the supreme sacrifices made by the armed forces personnel, the Government of India instituted new gallantry awards for them, the highest of which is Param  Vir  Chakra.  This  is  given  by the President of India personally for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy whether on land, at sea or  in  the  air. Late Major Som Nath Sharma of the Kumaon Regiment was the first to win this decoration for supreme bravery while leading  his men against  the Pakistanis  near  Badgam in Kashmir in November,  1947.

So high and exacting are the standards for the award that only fifteen Param Vir Chakras have been awarded during  the last twenty-nine years. Of these awards, eleven were awarded posthumously. The spectrum  of deeds covered by the awards ranged from acts of unusual  and unexpected courage arid devotion to exploits of unsurpassed boldness and supreme sacrifice. The nation is beholden to the select band of P.V.C.  winners  who have set a shining example to the youth of the country in daring, devotion to   duty, courage  and  sacrifice.

The medal is made of bronze and is circular in shape. It has on the face four replicas of lndra's Vajra, embossed around the state emblem in the centre. On the reverse  the  words  "Param Vir  Chakra", are embossed in Hindi and  English  with two lotus flowers between the Hindi and English inscriptions.  The medal  is  worn on the  left breast suspended from a plain purple-coloured riband. The awards carry monthly allowance as well as lump sum grants and grants of land  to  all  winners and  their  families.

The Posts & Telegraphs Department is privileged to bring out a commemorative stamp on Param Vir Chakra, our highest gallantry award.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India