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 Page 1


98
A Tale of Valour
Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam
Let us listen (refer to page 66)
I You will listen to a talk about the Param Vir Chakra. As you listen, complete 
the sentences by filling in the blanks with one or two exact words or 
phrases you hear. 
Hello, everyone! 
Let me tell you about the Param Vir Chakra. It is one of the 
most prestigious awards in India and signifies the ‘Wheel of the 
Ultimate Brave.’ This award is granted for ‘exemplary bravery in 
the presence of the enemy.’ This means that this award is given to 
someone who shows extraordinary courage and bravery while 
fighting the enemy.
The medal was instituted as a Gallantry Medal with retrospective 
effect from 15 August 1947 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then 
President of India. The medal was designed by Mrs. Savitri 
Khanolkar, who drew inspiration from Sage Dadhichi, a Vedic 
rishi, who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving up his body 
so that the gods could create a deadly weapon called Vajra, or 
Thunderbolt, from his spine.
The Param Vir Chakra is cast in bronze. At its centre, on a raised 
circle, is the State Emblem of India. Surrounding it are four 
replicas of Indra’s Vajra, lined with lotus flowers.
That, my dear friends, is the Param Vir Chakra, a true symbol 
of bravery.
Thank you. 
TRANSCRIPTS
Unit 2.indd   98 13-05-2025   12:07:59