HRD Minister Prakash Javedekar launches Vidhya –Veerta Abhiyan

The Minister for Human Resource and Development, Prakash Javadekar has launched Students for soldiers- a nationwide Vidya – Veerta Abhiyan.

Key Points:

• It has been launched to encourage Universities and educational institutions across the country to display portraits of Param Veer Chakra-decorated soldiers.
• The Param Veer Chakra (PVC) is India’s highest military decoration awarded to officers or enlisted personnel from all branches of the Indian military.
• The portraits of Param Veer Chakra decorated soldiers were handed over to the Vice Chancellors of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University, Jamia Milia Islamia, Jammu and IIT Delhi.
• The “wall of heroes” depicting portraits of brave soldiers who showed exemplary bravery in defending the nation is expected to instil a sense of patriotism and nationalism among students.
• This initiative has been launched on the demand made by the ex-servicemen that portraits of martyrs and tanks used in wars be showcased in the universities and educational institutions.
• Last year, the HRD Ministry had also unveiled Veergatha books on the 21 Param Veer Chakra awardees for educating school children about the sacrifices made by the Param Veer Chakra awardees.

About Param Veer Chakra

The Param Veer Chakra award was established on 26 January 1950.

• It has been awarded 21 times, of which 14 were posthumous awards and 16 has been awarded for acts of bravery committed during the Indo-Pakistani conflicts.
• Out of 21 awardees, 20 have been from the Indian Army, and 1 has been from the Indian Air Force.
• The Param Veer Chakra (PVC) is equivalent to the Medal of Honor in the United States and the Victoria Cross in the United Kingdom.
• The design of the medal was designed by Savitri Khanolkar, the wife of an Indian Army officer, Vikram Khanolkar of the Sikh Regiment.