View source for Param Vir Chakra

{{short description|India's highest military decoration}}
{{other uses}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox military award
| image =[[File:Param Vir Chakra Front and Back.png|300px]]<br /><br />[[File:Param-Vir-Chakra-ribbon.svg|150px]]
| caption          = Param Vir Chakra and its ribbon
| presenter        =the [[President of India]]
| country          ={{IND}}
| status           =Active
| type             =Military award
| established      ={{start date and age|df=yes|26 January 1950}}
| firstawarded     =3 November 1947{{efn|The Param Vir Chakra was established on 26 January 1950 ([[Republic Day of India]]) by the [[President of India]], but went into effect on 15&nbsp;August 1947.<ref name="11 Facts You Need To Know About The Param Vir Chakra" />}}
| lastawarded      =7 July 1999
| total_awarded    =21
| post-nominals    =PVC
| total_awarded_posthumously =14
| total_recipients =21
| related          =
| same             =[[File:Ashoka Chakra ribbon.svg|55px]] [[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|Ashoka Chakra]]{{efn|Though the Ashoka Chakra is placed below the PVC in order of wear, it is considered as a peacetime equivalent to Param Vir Chakra.<ref name="Awards Warb">{{Cite web |title=Awards Warb |url=http://www.warb-mha.gov.in/pdf/awards.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035719/http://www.warb-mha.gov.in/pdf/awards.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=5 September 2016 |website=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)]] |page=1}}</ref>}}{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|p=40}}<ref name="Precedence Of Medals">{{Cite web |title=Precedence of Medals |url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=BXcX5hxppEZqCOXb6hqedA==&ParentID=4KygHdsq1A/bXA7u5dbrJQ== |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023351/http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=BXcX5hxppEZqCOXb6hqedA%3D%3D&ParentID=4KygHdsq1A%2FbXA7u5dbrJQ%3D%3D |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=17 May 2014 |publisher=Indian Army}}</ref>
| lower           =[[File:Padma Vibhushan Ribbon.svg|55px]] [[Padma Vibhushan]]{{efn|Padma Vibhushan is the medal/honour lower than PVC in order of precedence/wearing}}
}}
The '''Param Vir Chakra''' ('''PVC''') is [[India]]'s highest [[Awards and Decorations of the Indian Armed Forces|military decoration]], awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime.<ref name="gov" />{{Sfn|Higgins|2016|p=42}} Param Vir Chakra translates as the "Wheel of the Ultimate Brave", and the award is granted for "most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy". {{As of|January 2018}}, the medal has been awarded 21 times, of which 14 were posthumous and 16 arose from actions in [[Indo-Pakistani conflicts]].{{Sfn|NCERT|2016|p=11}}<ref name="7 Facts Average Indian Doesn't Know About Param Vir Chakra">{{Cite web |last=Priya Aurora |date=27 December 2013 |title=7 Facts Average Indian Doesn't Know About Param Vir Chakra |url=http://topyaps.com/7-facts-average-indian-doesnt-know-about-param-vir-chakra |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920125041/http://topyaps.com/7-facts-average-indian-doesnt-know-about-param-vir-chakra |archive-date=20 September 2016 |access-date=4 September 2016 |website=Topyaps}}</ref> Of the 21 awardees, 20 have been from the [[Indian Army]] and one has been from the [[Indian Air Force]]. Major [[Somnath Sharma]] was the first recipient. A number of state governments of India as well as ministries of the central government provide allowances and rewards to recipients of the PVC (or their family members in case of the recipient's death).

The history of present-day Indian gallantry awards can be traced back to the rule of the [[East India Company]], when the first formal award was instituted by [[Lord William Bentinck]] in 1834 as the Order of Merit, later renamed the [[Indian Order of Merit]] in 1902. During the [[First World War]], the British awards system was adopted and continued through the [[Second World War]]. Post-independence, new awards were instituted on [[Republic Day (India)|26{{nbsp}}January 1950]], with retroactive effect from [[Independence Day (India)|15{{nbsp}}August 1947]]. The PVC is equivalent to the [[Victoria Cross]] in the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[Medal of Honor]] in the [[United States]].

== History ==
The history of modern-day Indian gallantry awards can be traced back to the rule of the [[East India Company]]. Gold medals were awarded to Indian officers for the first time in 1795, with the first recipient being [[Subedar]] Abdul Kader of the [[Madras Army|5th{{nbsp}}Madras Native Infantry]]. The chain of the gold medal awarded to Kader was inscribed with the words "For Conduct and Courage on All Occasions". In 1834 the [[Indian Order of Merit|Order of Merit]] was established by the then [[Governor-General of India]], [[Lord William Bentinck]]. The decoration was renamed the Indian Order of Merit (IOM) in 1902, and Indians considered it to be "the most coveted gallantry award" until the [[Victoria Cross]] (VC)—the highest award for gallantry in the [[British Empire]]—was extended to Indians in 1911.{{Sfn|Cardozo|2003|p=4}} The VC was awarded to 153 Indian and British soldiers of the [[British Indian Army]], and civilians under its command, from 1857 until Indian independence in 1947.{{Sfn|Ashcroft|2006|pp=xi–xiii}}

During the [[First World War]], in addition to the IOM, the award system of the British Indian Army was expanded. Based on the British practice for recognising actions of gallantry, senior officers would be awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]], junior officers the [[Military Cross]], and enlisted men with the [[Military Medal]]. This system continued through the [[Second World War]].{{Sfn|Cardozo|2003|p=5}}

Post-independence, the British honours and awards system in India informally came to an end.{{Sfn|Cardozo|2003|p=5}} A short time later, [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] decided to give gallantry awards for the ongoing [[1947 Indo Pak war|conflict in Jammu and Kashmir]]. Although India and Pakistan still had the option to award British honours, the leaders felt that it would not make sense to give the same honour to personnel from opposing forces. Accordingly, in June 1948 it was decided to institute new Indian awards for gallantry: the Param Vir Chakra{{nbsp}}(PVC), [[Maha Vir Chakra]]{{nbsp}}(MVC), and [[Vir Chakra]]{{nbsp}}(VrC).{{Sfn|Cardozo|2003|p=6}} After the PVC, the MVC and VrC are the second and third highest gallantry awards during wartime.<ref name="About Gallantry Awards MVC and VrC">{{Cite web |title=About Gallantry Awards |url=http://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/about-gallantry-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110174325/http://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/about-gallantry-awards |archive-date=10 January 2018 |access-date=10 January 2018 |website=Gallantry Awards |publisher=Ministry of Defence, Government of India}}</ref>

Nehru entrusted the implementation of the PVC to [[Major General]] [[Hira Lal Atal]], the first Indian [[adjutant general]] of India. He in turn requested [[Savitri Khanolkar]], the wife of an [[Indian Army]] officer, [[Vikram Ramji Khanolkar|Vikram Khanolkar]] of the [[Sikh Regiment]], to design the medal for the PVC.<ref name="tribune">{{Cite web |last=Satyindra Singh |date=20 June 1999 |title=Honouring the Bravest of the Brave |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99jun20/sunday/head2.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909115515/http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99jun20/sunday/head2.htm |archive-date=9 September 2014 |access-date=13 August 2014 |newspaper=The Tribune, Chandigarh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 June 2021 |title=The Swiss-Born Lady Who Crafted Param Vir Chakra, India's Highest Gallantry Award |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/human-interest/savitribai-khanolkar-designer-of-param-vir-chakra-543894.html |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=IndiaTimes |language=en-IN}}</ref> Coincidentally, the first PVC would be awarded to [[Major (rank)|Major]] [[Somnath Sharma]], the brother-in-law of Khanolkar's daughter.{{sfn|Cardozo|2003|p=12}}

Despite gaining independence from [[British Rule in India|British rule]], India still remained a [[dominion]] of the United Kingdom. This meant that the Governor-General of India could not approve the establishment of the awards without assent from the [[British Crown]]. Therefore, a draft of the [[Royal warrant (document)|Royal Warrant]] was sent to London for approval by [[King George VI]]. However, by mid-1948 it became clear that the King's ratification would not be forthcoming for some time.{{Sfn|Cardozo|2003|p=6}} As author [[Ian Cardozo]] suggests: "How could the King sanction awards for a war between two members of the Commonwealth? Also, the King would have not even have been a symbolic presence on the awards."{{sfn|Cardozo|2003|p=6}}

Therefore, the draft warrants to formally establish the new gallantry awards were not put into effect. On 1{{nbsp}}January 1949, a ceasefire was implemented in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], and as it was becoming too late to honour acts of heroism from the 1947–1948 Indo-Pakistani War, Nehru forwarded the draft warrants to Governor-General [[C. Rajagopalachari|Chakravarti Rajagopalachari]] to "institute the awards as your own". But Rajagopalachari felt that, as India was still a dominion, it would be inappropriate for him to establish the awards without the King's approval.{{Sfn|Cardozo|2003|p=6}} He instead suggested to Nehru that, as India was to become a republic on 26{{nbsp}}January 1950, it would be appropriate to announce the establishment of the awards on that date, but with retroactive effect from 15{{nbsp}}August 1947.{{Sfn|Cardozo|2003|p=7}}

On 26{{nbsp}}January 1950, now celebrated as [[Republic Day of India]], the PVC was established by [[Rajendra Prasad]], the first [[President of India]], with effect from 15{{nbsp}}August 1947 ([[Independence Day of India]]).<ref name="11 Facts You Need To Know About The Param Vir Chakra">{{Cite web |date=5 April 2015 |title=11 Facts You Need To Know About The Param Vir Chakra |url=http://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/11-facts-you-need-to-know-about-the-param-vir-chakra-231518.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917191121/http://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/11-facts-you-need-to-know-about-the-param-vir-chakra-231518.html |archive-date=17 September 2016 |access-date=4 September 2016 |website=Indiatimes}}</ref><ref name="gov">{{Cite web |title=Param Vir Chakra (PVC) |url=http://knowindia.gov.in/myindia/myindia_frame.php?id=13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814213528/http://knowindia.gov.in/myindia/myindia_frame.php?id=13 |archive-date=14 August 2014 |access-date=13 August 2014 |publisher=India: National Portal of India |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Provision was made in the event a PVC recipient was to receive a further award of the medal; if this were to arise, the recipient would receive a [[Medal bar|bar]] to their existing PVC, along with a gift of a replica of the ''[[vajra]]'' (club), the weapon of [[Indra]], the god of heaven.<ref name="gov" /> {{As of|January 2018}}, no instances of an individual being conferred with a second PVC have arisen. The medal carries with it the right to use "PVC" as a [[Post-nominal letters|post-nominal]].<ref name="11 Facts You Need To Know About The Param Vir Chakra" />

== Regulations ==
The regulations of the PVC were set out in ''[[The Gazette of India]]'' the day the award was established, 26 January 1950, as follows:{{Sfn|Cardozo|2003|pp=Annexure I (204–206)}}
{{Quote|1=
'''First:'''  The decoration shall be in form of a medal and styled and designated the Param Vir Chakra (hereinafter referred as the Chakra).

'''Second:''' The medal shall be circular in shape, made of bronze, one and three-eighth inches [35&nbsp;mm] in diameter, and shall have embossed on the obverse, four replicas of Indra's Vajra with the state emblem embossed in the centre. On the reverse, it shall have embossed Param Vir Chakra, both in Hindi and English, with two lotus flowers between the inscriptions. A sealed pattern of the decoration shall be deposited and kept.

'''Third:''' The medal shall be suspended from the left breast by a plain purple-coloured ribbon of one and a quarter inches [32&nbsp;mm] in width; on those occasions when only the ribbon is worn, a replica of Indra's Vajra in miniature shall be fixed in the centre of the ribbon.

'''Fourth:''' The Chakra is awarded for 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.

'''Fifth:''' The Chakra may also be awarded posthumously.

'''Sixth:''' The distinction shall be conferred by the President.

'''Seventh:''' The names of those persons upon or on account of whom the decoration may be conferred shall be published in The Gazette of India, and a Register thereof kept under the directions of the President.

'''Eighth:'''

:(a) Officers, men and women of all ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted Armed Forces.

:(b) Matrons, Sisters, Nurses and the staff of the Nursing Services and other Services pertaining to Hospitals and Nursing and Civilians of either sex serving regularly or temporarily under the orders, directions or supervision of any of the above-mentioned Forces.

'''Ninth:''' If any recipient of the Chakra shall again perform such an act of bravery as would have made him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of bravery shall be recorded by a bar to be attached to the ribbon by which the Chakra is suspended, and for every such additional act of bravery an additional bar shall be added, and any such bar or bars may also be awarded posthumously. For every bar awarded, a replica of Indra's Vajra in miniature shall be added to the ribbon when worn alone.

'''Tenth:''' The miniature decoration, which may be worn on certain occasions by those to whom the decoration is awarded, shall be half the size of the Chakra and a sealed pattern of the said miniature decoration shall be deposited and kept.

'''Eleventh:''' Every recipient of the Chakra being or ranking junior in rank to that of Sub-Lieutenant in the case of the Navy, Second Lieutenant in the case of the Army, and Pilot Officer in the case of the Air Force, shall, from the date of the act by which the decoration has been gained, be entitled to a special pension, and each additional bar shall carry with it additional pension for life at such rates as the President may prescribe. On the death of the recipient of the Chakra to whom the clause applies, the pension shall be continued to his widow until her death or remarriage under such rules as may be prescribed by the President.

'''Twelfth:''' This Chakra shall rank first among all awards.

'''Thirteenth:''' The President may cancel and annul the award of the Chakra to any person together with any pension appertaining thereto not already paid, and thereupon his or her name in the register shall be erased and he or she shall be required to surrender his or her insignia; but it shall be competent for the President to restore the decoration when such cancellation and annulment has subsequently been withdrawn, and with it such pension as may have been forfeited.

'''Last:''' Notice of cancellation or restoration in every case shall be published in ''The Gazette of India''.
}}

An amendment to the above regulations on 26 January 1980 saw Clause 12 deleted, and the remaining clauses renumbered accordingly.{{Sfn|Cardozo|2003|p=206}}

== Design specifications ==
[[File:Stamp of India - 1976 - Colnect 327422 - Param Vir Chakra Medal Commemoration.jpeg|125px|right|thumb|PVC medal on 1976 stamp of India]]
The name of the award translates as the "Wheel of the Ultimate Brave".<ref name="gov" /> The medal is a circular [[bronze]] disc {{convert|1+3/8|in|mm|0|abbr=off|order=flip}} in diameter. On the [[Obverse and reverse|obverse]], or front, the [[National Emblem of India]] appears in the centre on a raised circle surrounded by four copies of the ''[[vajra]]'', the weapon of [[Indra]], the ancient [[Vedic pantheon|Vedic]] king of the gods. The motif symbolizes the sacrifice of [[Rishi]] [[Dadhichi]], who gave his bones to the gods to make the ''vajra'' to kill the demon [[Vritra]]. The medal is suspended from a straight-swiveling suspension bar. On the [[Obverse and reverse|reverse]], around a plain centre, are two legends separated by [[lotus flower]]s. The words "Param Vir Chakra" are written in [[Hindi]] and [[English language|English]].<ref name="7 Facts Average Indian Doesn't Know About Param Vir Chakra" /><ref name="sify">{{Cite web |last=Sumit Walia |date=23 January 2009 |title=The First Param Vir Chakra |url=http://www.sify.com/news/the-first-param-vir-chakra-news-national-jegtl2hjjdg.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813213103/http://www.sify.com/news/the-first-param-vir-chakra-news-national-jegtl2hjjdg.html |archive-date=13 August 2014 |access-date=13 August 2014 |website=Sify News |df=dmy-all}}</ref> A purple ribbon, {{convert|32|mm|in|frac=16}} long, holds the Param Vir Chakra.<ref name="7 Facts Average Indian Doesn't Know About Param Vir Chakra" />

== Recipients ==
[[File:Bana Singh, Yoginder, Sanjay Kumar (PVC Recipients).jpg|250px|thumb|The three living recipients of the Param Vir Chakra: [[Yogendra Singh Yadav]], [[Bana Singh]], and [[Sanjay Kumar (soldier)|Sanjay Kumar]]]]
The PVC has been awarded 21 times, of which 14 were awarded posthumously and 16 arose from actions in Indo-Pakistani conflicts.{{Sfn|NCERT|2016|p=5}}<ref name="hindu" /> Of the 21 awardees, 20 have been from the Indian Army, and one has been from the [[Indian Air Force]]. [[The Grenadiers]], with three awards, have received the greatest number of Param Vir Chakras. The various [[Gorkha regiments (India)|Gorkha Rifle regiments of the Indian Army]] have received three awards, with the [[1 Gorkha Rifles|1]], [[8 Gorkha Rifles|8]], and [[11 Gorkha Rifles|11]] Gorkha Rifle regiments each having one PVC recipient.<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950">{{Cite web |last=Indiatimes News Network |date=25 January 2008 |title=Param Vir Chakra Winners Since 1950 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Param-Vir-Chakra-winners-since-1950/articleshow/2731710.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161018224154/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Param-Vir-Chakra-winners-since-1950/articleshow/2731710.cms |archive-date=18 October 2016 |access-date=5 September 2016 |website=Times of India}}</ref>

{{As of|January 2018}}, Flying Officer [[Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon]], who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously in 1971, is the only Indian Air Force officer to have been honoured with the medal.<ref name="gov" /><ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /> [[Subedar-major|Subedar Major]] [[Bana Singh]], [[Subedar]] [[Sanjay Kumar (soldier)|Sanjay Kumar]] and [[Subedar]] [[Yogendra Singh Yadav]], are the only living recipients of the award.<ref name="hindu">{{Cite web |date=8 August 2010 |title=Other States / West Bengal News : Living with War Memories that Never Fade |url=http://hindu.com/2010/08/08/stories/2010080854580500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629103435/http://hindu.com/2010/08/08/stories/2010080854580500.htm |archive-date=29 June 2013 |access-date=10 July 2013 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

{{legend2|#e3d9ff|This along with the *, indicates that the Param Vir Chakra was awarded posthumously.|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
:<small> ** Rank refers to rank held at time of award.</small>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Busts of recipients
! Name !! Rank<sup>**</sup>!! Unit !! Date of action!! Conflict !! Place of action!!class="unsortable"|Citations
|-
|[[File:Major Somnath Sharma statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Somnath Sharma]]||[[Major (rank)|Major]]||[[Kumaon Regiment]] ||  style="background:#e3d9ff; text-align:center;"|{{dts|3 November 1947}}* || [[Battle of Badgam]] || [[Badgam]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India||{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=75–76}}<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />
|-
|[[File:Naik Jadunath Singh statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Jadunath Singh]]|| [[Naik (military rank)|Naik]] || [[Rajput Regiment]] ||  style="background:#e3d9ff; text-align:center;"|{{dts|6 February 1948}}* ||[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]]  || [[Nowshera, Jammu and Kashmir|Naushera]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=56–57}}
|-
|[[File:Second Lieutenant R R Rane statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Rama Raghoba Rane]]|| [[Second Lieutenant]]||[[Bombay Sappers]] || style="text-align:center;"|{{dts|8 April 1948}} || [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]] || [[Nowshera, Jammu and Kashmir|Naushera]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=67–68}}
|-
|[[File:Piru Singh statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Piru Singh]]|| [[Havildar|Company Havildar Major]]||[[Rajputana Rifles]] ||  style="background:#e3d9ff; text-align:center;"|{{dts|17 July 1948}}*  || [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]] || [[Tithwal]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=65–66}}
|-
|[[File:Lance Naik Karam Singh statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Karam Singh]]||[[Lance Naik]]||[[Sikh Regiment]] || style="text-align:center;"|{{dts|13 October 1948}} || [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]] || [[Tithwal]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=60–61}}
|-
|[[File:Captain Salaria statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Gurbachan Singh Salaria]]||[[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]]||[[1 Gorkha Rifles]]{{efn|Attached to the [[United Nations Peace Keeping Force]] stationed in [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]].}} ||  style="background:#e3d9ff; text-align:center;"|{{dts|5 December 1961}}* || [[Congo Crisis]] || {{sort|1=Elisabethville|2=[[Élisabethville]]}}, [[Katanga Province|Katanga]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]]||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=69–70}}
|-
|[[File:Major Dhan Singh Thapa statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
|   [[Dhan Singh Thapa]]||[[Major (rank)|Major]]||[[8 Gorkha Rifles]] || style="text-align:center;"|{{dts|20 October 1962}} || [[Sino-Indian War]] || [[Ladakh]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=79–80}}
|-
|[[File:Subedar Joginder Singh statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Joginder Singh (soldier)|Joginder Singh]]||[[Subedar]]||[[Sikh Regiment]] ||  style="background:#e3d9ff; text-align:center;"|{{dts|23 October 1962}}* ||[[Sino-Indian War]] || [[Tongpen La]], [[North-East Frontier Agency]], India||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=58–59}}
|-
|[[File:Major Shaitan Singh statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Shaitan Singh]]||[[Major (rank)|Major]]||[[Kumaon Regiment]]  ||  style="background:#e3d9ff; text-align:center;"|{{dts|18 November 1962}}* || [[Sino-Indian War]] || [[Rezang La]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=73–74}}
|-
|[[File:CQHM Abdul Hamid statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
|[[Abdul Hamid (soldier)|Abdul Hamid]]||[[Havildar|Company Quarter Master Havildar]]||[[The Grenadiers]] ||  style="background:#e3d9ff; text-align:center;"|{{dts|10 September 1965}}*||[[Battle of Asal Uttar]]||[[Khemkaran]], India||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=49–50}}
|-
|[[File:Lt Col A B Tarapore statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Ardeshir Tarapore]]||[[Lieutenant Colonel]]|| [[Poona Horse]] ||  style="background:#e3d9ff; text-align:center;"|{{dts|11 September 1965}}*  ||[[Battle of Chawinda]] || [[Phillora]], [[Sialkot]], [[Pakistan]]||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=77–78}}
|-
|[[File:Lance Naik Albert Ekka statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Albert Ekka]]||[[Lance Naik]]||[[Brigade of the Guards]] ||  style="background:#e3d9ff; text-align:center;"|{{dts|3 December 1971}}*|| [[Battle of Hilli]] || [[Sagar Island|Gangasagar]], [[Agartala]], India||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=52–53}}
|-
|[[File:N J Sekhon statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon]]||[[Flying Officer]]||[[No. 18 Squadron IAF]]||  style="background:#e3d9ff; text-align:center;"|{{dts|14 December 1971}}*  || [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]||[[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India
|<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=71–72}}
|-
|[[File:Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Arun Khetarpal]]||[[Second Lieutenant]]||[[Poona Horse]]||  style="background:#e3d9ff; text-align:center;"|{{dts|16 December 1971}}* ||[[Battle of Basantar]] || [[Barapind-Jarpal]], [[Shakargarh]], [[Pakistan]]||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=62–63}}
|-
|[[File:Major Hoshiar Singh statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Hoshiar Singh Dahiya]]||[[Major (rank)|Major]]||[[The Grenadiers]] || style="text-align:center;"|{{dts|17 December 1971}}  || [[Battle of Basantar]]|| [[Basantar River]], [[Shakargarh]], [[Pakistan]]||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=54–55}}
|-
|[[File:Naib Subedar Bana Singh statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Bana Singh]]||[[Naib Subedar]]||[[Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry]]  || style="text-align:center;"|{{dts|23 May 1987}} ||[[Operation Rajiv]] || [[Siachen Glacier]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|p=51}}
|-
|[[File:Major R Parameswaran statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Ramaswamy Parameshwaran]]||[[Major (rank)|Major]]||[[Mahar Regiment]]{{efn|Attached to the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]] stationed in [[Sri Lanka]].}}||  style="background:#e3d9ff; text-align:center;"|{{dts|25 November 1987}}*  || [[Operation Pawan]] || [[Sri Lanka]]||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|p=64}}
|-
|[[File:Lieutenant M K Pandey statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Manoj Kumar Pandey]]|| [[Lieutenant]]  ||[[11 Gorkha Rifles]]||  style="background:#e3d9ff; text-align:center;"|{{dts|3 July 1999}}*  || [[Kargil War]] || [[Khaluber /Juber Top]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of">{{Cite web |last=Rishabh Banerji |date=15 August 2015 |title=21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know and Be Proud of |url=http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/21-param-vir-chakra-winners-every-indian-should-know-and-be-proud-of-244199.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917194224/http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/21-param-vir-chakra-winners-every-indian-should-know-and-be-proud-of-244199.html |archive-date=17 September 2016 |access-date=4 September 2016 |website=Indiatimes}}</ref>
|-
|[[File:Grenadier Yoginder Singh Yadav statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Yogendra Singh Yadav]]||[[Grenadier]]||[[The Grenadiers]] || style="text-align:center;"|{{dts|4 July 1999}}  || [[Battle of Tiger Hill]] || [[Tiger Hill, Kargil|Tiger Hill]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />
|-
|[[File:Rifleman Sanjay Kumar statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Sanjay Kumar (soldier)|Sanjay Kumar]] ||[[Rifleman]]||[[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles]]  || style="text-align:center;"|{{dts|5 July 1999}}  || [[Kargil War]]|| [[Kargil]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />
|-
|[[File:Captain Vikram Batra statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Vikram Batra]]||[[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]]||[[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles]]  ||  style="background:#e3d9ff; text-align:center;"|{{dts|7 July 1999}}*  || [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]] || [[Kargil]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India||<ref name="Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950" /><ref name="21 Param Vir Chakra Winners Every Indian Should Know And Be Proud Of" />
|}

== Allowances and rewards for the awardees ==
The PVC also carries a cash allowance for those under the rank of lieutenant (or the appropriate service equivalent), and in some cases a cash award. Upon the death of the recipient, the [[pension]] is transferred to the spouse until their death or remarriage. In the case of a posthumous recipient who is unmarried, the allowance is paid to their parents. In the case of the award being conferred posthumously on a widow or widower, the allowance is to be paid to their son or unmarried daughter.{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|p=48}} A monthly stipend of {{INR}}20,000 is given to the awardee along with their regular pay.<ref name="Param Vir Chakra Indian Navy">{{Cite web |title=Param Vir Chakra IN |url=http://indiannavy.nic.in/node/409 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915090135/http://indiannavy.nic.in/node/409 |archive-date=15 September 2016 |access-date=5 September 2016 |website=Indian Navy}}</ref> The award amount and pension benefits are exempted from income tax. In addition, different ministries under the [[Government of India|central government]] have various financial awards for PVC awardees.<ref name="How do we Reward the Men in Uniform? A look at the reward extended to Gallantry Award Winners" />

A relatively unknown convention in the Indian Army is for a PVC recipient to be saluted, when in ceremonial uniform, by everyone in the Army irrespective of rank, although no legal provision exists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Radhakrishnan |first=R.K |title=Serving with honour |url=https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/edu/2004/01/26/stories/2004012600220400.htm |access-date=29 December 2018 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

=== Allowances by state governments ===
Many Indian states have established individual pension rewards that far exceed the central government's stipend for recipients of the PVC.<ref name="How do we Reward the Men in Uniform? A look at the reward extended to Gallantry Award Winners">{{Cite web |date=18 August 2015 |title=How Do We Reward the Men in Uniform? A Look at the Reward Extended to Gallantry Award Winner |url=https://factly.in/gallantry-awards-indian-armed-forces/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918034011/https://factly.in/gallantry-awards-indian-armed-forces/ |archive-date=18 September 2016 |access-date=4 September 2016 |website=Factly}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Cash amount !! States awarding
|-
| ₹20&nbsp;million|| [[Haryana]]
|-
| ₹10&nbsp;million || [[Telangana]]
|-
| ₹3&nbsp;million|| [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]
|-
| ₹2.5&nbsp;million|| {{flatlist|
* [[Assam]]
* [[Chandigarh]]
* [[Chhattisgarh]]
* [[Delhi]]
* [[Goa]]
* [[Himachal Pradesh]]
* [[Kerala]]
* [[Maharashtra]]
* [[Uttar Pradesh]]
* [[Uttarakhand]]
}}
|-
| ₹2&nbsp;million|| {{flatlist|
* [[Rajasthan]]
* [[Madhya Pradesh]]
}}
|-
| ₹1.5&nbsp;million|| {{flatlist|
* [[Tamil Nadu]]
* [[Mizoram]]
}}
|-
| ₹1&nbsp;million|| {{flatlist|
* [[Jharkhand]]
* [[Andhra Pradesh]]
* [[Bihar]]
}}
|-
| ₹22,500|| {{flatlist|
* [[Gujarat]]
* [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
* [[Karnataka]]
* [[Odisha]]
* [[Sikkim]]
* [[West Bengal]]
}}
|}

== Memorials ==
[[File:Major Somnath Sharma statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Major Somnath Sharma's statue at ''Param Yodha Sthal'', [[National War Memorial (India)|National War Memorial]], New Delhi]]
A memorial has been built in the memory of PVC recipients at Marina Park, [[Port Blair]], in [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]]. It was inaugurated in September 2014 by the [[Lieutenant Governors of Andaman and Nicobar|Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar]] Lieutenant General [[A. K. Singh|Ajay Kumar Singh]], in the presence of the Commander-in-Chief [[Andaman and Nicobar Command]], Vice Admiral [[Pradeep Kumar Chatterjee]].<ref name="Param Vir Chakra Memorial dedicated to the nation">{{Cite web |last=[[Press Trust of India]] |date=18 September 2014 |title=Param Vir Chakra Memorial dedicated to the nation |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-param-vir-chakra-memorial-dedicated-to-the-nation-2019753 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109190915/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-param-vir-chakra-memorial-dedicated-to-the-nation-2019753 |archive-date=9 January 2018 |access-date=9 January 2018 |website=Daily News and Analysis |publisher=Diligent Media Corporation Limited}}</ref>

On 2 May 2017, at a ceremony conducted in the [[National Media Centre, New Delhi|National Media Center]], [[New Delhi]], [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of State for Defence]] [[Subhash Bhamre]] inaugurated a campaign to build a "wall of valour" in a thousand educational institutions across the country. The campaign was initiated by the two serving receipts of PVC, Subedar [[Yogendra Singh Yadav]] and Naib Subedar [[Sanjay Kumar (soldier)|Sanjay Kumar]]. The campaign was named "Vidya Veerta Abhiyan". The objective is to build a wall of {{convert|15|by|20|ft|m|round=0.5|order=flip}} at various educational campuses with the voluntary contributions from the students and the faculty of respective institutions. These walls are to portray all 21 recipients of the PVC along with relevant information.<ref name="A ‘wall of valour' for our bravehearts in campuses">{{Cite web |last=Anil Bhat |date=10 May 2017 |title=A 'wall of valour' for our bravehearts in campuses |url=http://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/100517/a-wall-of-valour-for-our-bravehearts-in-campuses.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109181040/http://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/100517/a-wall-of-valour-for-our-bravehearts-in-campuses.html |archive-date=9 January 2018 |access-date=9 January 2018 |website=[[The Asian Age]]}}</ref>

Bronze Busts of all 21 recipients are installed in the Param Yodha Sthal, which is a part of the [[National War Memorial (India)|National War Memorial]]. The site is adjacent to the main memorial and has informative plaques displaying the citations of the heroes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PM Modi unveils National War Memorial: 10 things to know about it – National War Memorial to be dedicated to soldiers |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pm-modi-unveils-national-war-memorial-10-things-to-know-about-it/param-vir-chakra-awardees/slideshow/68148225.cms |website=The Economic Times}}</ref>

On January 23, 2022 (birth anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose), the Indian government named 21 large uncharted islands in the [[Andaman Islands]] after the 21 recipients of the Param Vir Chakra.

== In popular culture ==
The TV series ''[[Param Vir Chakra (TV series)|Param Vir Chakra]]'' (1990), which focuses on the lives of Param Vir Chakra winners, was directed by [[Chetan Anand (director)|Chetan Anand]]. The first episode of the series featured the first recipient of the award, Major [[Somnath Sharma]] of the [[Kumaon Regiment]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Madhu Jain |date=15 August 1990 |title=Mandi House Hardsells Kashmir in its Serial 'Gul Gulshan Gulfam' |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mandi-house-hardsells-kashmir-in-its-serial-gul-gulshan-gulfam/1/315475.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814124434/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mandi-house-hardsells-kashmir-in-its-serial-gul-gulshan-gulfam/1/315475.html |archive-date=14 August 2014 |access-date=13 August 2014 |website=India Today |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Goldie commands respect even 10 years after death">{{Cite web |title=Goldie Commands Respect Even 10 years After Death |url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/investigation/goldie-commands-respect-even-10-years-after-death |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921103221/http://www.sunday-guardian.com/investigation/goldie-commands-respect-even-10-years-after-death |archive-date=21 September 2016 |access-date=5 September 2016 |website=Sunday Guardian}}</ref><ref name="Maker of innovative, meaningful movies">{{Cite web |date=15 June 2007 |title=Maker of Innovative, Meaningful Movies |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/maker-of-innovative-meaningful-movies/article2272748.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228184000/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/maker-of-innovative-meaningful-movies/article2272748.ece |archive-date=28 February 2018 |access-date=5 September 2016 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN}}</ref>

Indian [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]-language biopic movie ''[[Subedar Joginder Singh (film)|Subedar Joginder Singh]]'' (2018) is based on [[Joginder Singh (soldier)|Singh's]] life and his action during Sino-Indian War.<ref>{{Citation |title=Subedar Joginder Singh Review {2.5/5}: If movies served with a generous dose of national pride are your scene, then this one should not be missed |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/subedar-joginder-singh/movie-review/63652256.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=28 November 2021}}</ref>

The [[Bollywood]] film ''[[LOC Kargil]]'' (2003) gives an account of all of the PVC recipients from the [[Kargil War]]. [[Manoj Kumar Pandey|Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey]] is played by [[Ajay Devgan]], [[Yogendra Singh Yadav|Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav]] is played by [[Manoj Bajpayee]], [[Sanjay Kumar (soldier)|Naib Subedar Sanjay Kumar]] is played by [[Sunil Shetty]], and [[Vikram Batra|Captain Vikram Batra]] is played by [[Abhishek Bachchan]].<ref name="The Hindu : LOC-Kagil: How `real'?">{{Cite web |title=LOC-Kagil: How 'real'? |url=http://www.thehindu.com/mag/2004/01/18/stories/2004011800140500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150121060212/http://www.thehindu.com/mag/2004/01/18/stories/2004011800140500.htm |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=5 September 2016 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

An upcoming Hindi-language film ''Ekkis'' will focus on the life on [[Arun Khetarpal]], who is the youngest recipient of the award.

In the 2021 film ''[[Shershaah]]'', [[Sidharth Malhotra]] played [[Vikram Batra]] in a biopic directed by [[Vishnuvardhan (director)|Vishnuvardhan]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 June 2018 |title=Kargil martyr Vikram Batra's brother on his biopic: I hope Sidharth Malhotra does justice to Vikram |language=en |work=Hindustan Times |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/kargil-martyr-vikram-batra-s-brother-on-his-biopic-i-hope-sidharth-malhotra-does-justice-to-vikram/story-FHKGDONGTqRVdoHgmPTi7L.html |access-date=17 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 July 2019 |title=कैप्टन विक्रम बत्रा की बराबरी करने कम हील वाले शूज पहनेंगे सिद्धार्थ, फिल्म के लिए ले रहे हार्ड ट्रेनिंग |language=hi |trans-title=Siddharth will wear low-heeled shoes to match Captain Vikram Batra, taking hard training for the film |work=Dainik Bhaskar |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/bollywood/news/sidharth-malhotra-will-wear-short-heeled-shoes-to-match-captain-vikram-batra-01595633.html |access-date=17 July 2019}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of highest military decorations by country]]

== Notes ==
=== Footnotes ===
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

=== Citations ===
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== References ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Citation |last=Ashcroft |first=Michael |title=Victoria Cross Heroes |date=2006 |url=https://archive.org/details/victoriacrossher0000ashc |publisher=Headline Book Publishing |isbn=978-0-7553-1632-8 |author-link=Michael Ashcroft |url-access=registration}}
* {{Citation |last=Cardozo |first=Ian |title=Param Vir: Our Heroes in Battle |year=2003 |place=New Delhi |publisher=Roli Books Private Limited |language=en |isbn=978-93-5194-029-6}}
* {{Citation |last=Chakravorty |first=B.C. |title=Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uzizVBSb4YsC |year=1995 |place=New Delhi |publisher=Allied Publishers |language=en |isbn=978-81-7023-516-3}}
* {{Citation |last=Higgins |first=David R. |title=M48 Patton vs Centurion: Indo-Pakistani War 1965 |year=2016 |place=Oxford |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4728-1093-9}}
* {{Citation |last=NCERT |first=Govt. of India |title=Veer Gaatha |url=http://www.ncert.nic.in/publication/Miscellaneous/pdf_files/veergatha.pdf |year=2016 |place=New Delhi |publisher=National Council of Educational Research and Training |isbn=978-93-5007-765-8 |author-link=National Council of Educational Research and Training}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Param Vir Chakra}}

* {{Cite news |title=Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Param-Vir-Chakra-winners-since-1950/articleshow/2731710.cms}}
* {{url|www.dsalert.org/gallantry-awards/param-veer-chakra/|PVC Awardees}}
* {{Cite web |date=22 July 2010 |title=India's Param Vir Chakras now available in rare comic book series |url=http://www.aninews.in/newsdetail2/story225711/india-039-s-param-vir-chakras-now-available-in-rare-comic-book-series.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923172358/http://www.aninews.in/newsdetail2/story225711/india-039-s-param-vir-chakras-now-available-in-rare-comic-book-series.html |archive-date=23 September 2015 |publisher=ANI News |location=India |df=dmy-all}}

{{Param Vir Chakra recipients}}
{{India Honours and Decorations}}
{{Highest Awards for gallantry}}

[[Category:Civil awards and decorations of India]]
[[Category:Military awards and decorations of India]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1950]]
[[Category:Indian awards]]
[[Category:1950 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra|*]]
[[Category:Courage awards]]