Param Vir Chakra Garden – A Tribute to India’s Bravest Sons at Rajkilpakkam

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In a heartfelt tribute to India’s highest military heroes, the Param Vir Chakra Garden was recently inaugurated at the Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir campus in Rajkilpakkam, Chennai. This solemn and beautifully landscaped memorial honours the valor and sacrifice of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardees, a rare and elite group of bravehearts who displayed exceptional gallantry in the face of the enemy.

Param Vir Chakra Garden
Param Vir Chakra Garden


📍 Location

The garden is situated within the campus of Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir, under the aegis of the Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Trust, in Rajkilpakkam, Chennai suburbs.

🎖️ About the Param Vir Chakra

The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration, awarded for “most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy” during wartime. It is the Indian equivalent of the Victoria Cross (UK) and the Medal of Honor (USA). Designed by Savitri Khanolkar, a Swiss-born Indian, the medal symbolizes the spirit of selfless sacrifice in service of the nation.

As of now, only 21 soldiers have received this rare honour, 14 posthumously. 20 of them served in the Indian Army, and one in the Indian Air Force. Most awards stem from the Indo-Pak conflicts, a testament to the intense military confrontations that have shaped modern Indian history.

Param Vir Chakra Garden
Param Vir Chakra Garden


🫡 List of Param Vir Chakra Awardees (as displayed in the Garden)

The garden features engraved images and names of the 21 awardees:

  1. Major Som Nath Sharma

  2. Naik Jadunath Singh

  3. 2nd Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane

  4. Company Havildar Major Piru Singh

  5. Lance Naik Karam Singh

  6. Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria

  7. Major Dhan Singh Thapa

  8. Subedar Joginder Singh

  9. CQMH Abdul Hamid

  10. Lance Naik Albert Ekka

  11. Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya

  12. 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal

  13. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (Indian Air Force)

  14. Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran

  15. Naib Subedar Bana Singh

  16. Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav

  17. Rifleman Sanjay Kumar

  18. Captain Vikram Batra

  19. Grenadier Manoj Kumar Pandey

  20. Captain Anuj Nayyar

  21. Subedar Major & Honorary Captain Karam Singh Brar

The display board also includes a QR code, enabling visitors to listen to audio guides about each hero by scanning it via their smartphone.

Param Vir Chakra Garden
Param Vir Chakra Garden


🌿 Garden Inauguration

This commemorative space was inaugurated on 30th March 2024 by Shri R. N. Ravi, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, in the presence of Lt. Gen. Karanbir Singh Brar, AVSM, General Officer Commanding (Dakshin Bharat Area).

The plaque at the entrance of the garden lists three PVC recipients whose families or representatives were honored at the ceremony:

  • Subedar Major & Hon. Captain Bana Singh

  • Subedar Major Yogender Singh Yadav

  • Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar

The inscriptions on the stone and metal plaques are in English, Tamil and Sanskrit, reflecting a blend of national pride and cultural depth.

🌱 Symbolism and Impact

By educating young minds and honouring national heroes, this park not only serves as a visual and emotional reminder of India’s brave defenders but also reinforces the values of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism. Set amidst manicured lawns and pathways, the busts and boards tell stories that textbooks often cannot, stories that must be remembered and revered.

Happy travelling.

Param Vir Chakra Garden
Param Vir Chakra Garden


Location: Rajakilpakkam, Tirusulam, Chennai, St.Thomas Mount-cum-Pallavaram, Tamil Nadu 600117, India

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