Portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees now occupy a prominent place inside Rashtrapati Bhavan, replacing portraits of British-era Aide-de-Camps. Inaugurated on Vijay Diwas, the move is not merely symbolic; it reflects a broader recalibration of how the Indian state remembers its past, honours military sacrifice, and reshapes public spaces to reflect post-colonial national values.
What Is the Param Vir Dirgha?
The ‘Param Vir Dirgha’ is a newly created gallery at Rashtrapati Bhavan that displays portraits of all recipients of the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration. Instituted in 1950, the award recognises the most exceptional acts of valour, courage and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy during war. Of the 21 awardees so far, a majority were honoured posthumously, underlining the supreme cost of such gallantry.
Replacing Colonial-Era Symbols
Earlier, the same space displayed portraits of 96 British Aide-de-Camps who served the Viceroys during colonial rule. Their replacement with Indian war heroes signals a conscious effort to de-centre colonial military memory and foreground indigenous narratives of sacrifice and service. Rashtrapati Bhavan, once the seat of imperial authority, is increasingly being reimagined as a site that reflects republican and national values.
Why Vijay Diwas Matters Here
The inauguration coincided with Vijay Diwas, commemorating India’s victory in the 1971 war. The timing reinforces the link between remembrance, military achievement and national pride. By situating the Param Vir Chakra awardees within this larger historical moment, the initiative connects individual acts of bravery with collective national milestones.
Param Vir Chakra in India’s Military Ethos
The Param Vir Chakra occupies a unique position in India’s honours system. It is awarded strictly for wartime gallantry, unlike other decorations that may recognise peacetime valour. Displaying all awardees together institutionalises military memory and offers visitors a structured narrative of India’s post-Independence wars and conflicts.
Part of a Wider Decolonisation Drive
The Param Vir Dirgha aligns with a series of official initiatives aimed at shedding colonial-era names and symbols from public life. These include renaming prominent roads and gardens, altering ceremonial practices, and redesigning military insignia. Collectively, these steps seek to replace imperial references with figures, events and values rooted in Indian history and culture.
Debates and Broader Implications
While supporters view such measures as long-overdue correction of colonial legacies, critics caution against oversimplifying history or politicising cultural change. From a governance perspective, the challenge lies in balancing historical continuity with symbolic transformation, ensuring that inclusivity and constitutional values remain central to national memory-making.
What to note for Prelims?
- Param Vir Chakra: India’s highest wartime gallantry award.
- Total awardees so far: 21.
- Param Vir Dirgha: Gallery at Rashtrapati Bhavan displaying portraits of all recipients.
- Inaugurated on Vijay Diwas by the President of India.
What to note for Mains?
- Role of symbols and public spaces in shaping national identity.
- Significance of military honours in civil–military relations.
- Decolonisation of institutions and its impact on collective memory.
- Balancing heritage, history and constitutional values in nation-building.
