Chapter 1.7 - Param Vir Chakra - Our Heroes
The author begins by narrating the sacrifice of Sage Dadhichi who laid down his life and gave his own bones for the larger good. He did this to help the people from a demon who had stolen all the water in the world. Indra’s Vajra – Indra’s weapon of thunderbolt was fashioned from Sage Dadhichi’s bones and the demon was defeated.
According to him, just as Indra’s Vajra derived power from sage Dadhichi’s bones, the Indian military derives its strength and power from the sacrifice of the bravest of the brave -the Param Vir Chakra holders.
The lesson goes on to describe the Param Vir Chakra medal. It also provides us a list of 21 bravest of the brave ie., Param Vir. The lesson also provides information about the bravery
and sacrifice made by selfless patriot Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, a Param Vir. Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon sacrificed his life to save an airfield and town of Srinagar from the enemy.
Let us derive inspiration from our brave, selfless soldiers and be willing to make the final sacrifice for our country, our motherland, India.
legendary : very famous and admired
conspicuous: outstanding
posthumously : after a person’s death
fitted with swivel mounting : fixed in a way which allows it to move freely
obverse and reverse : the front and back sides (of the medal)
emblem : symbol; an object that represents something
thunderbolt : a flash of lightning with a clap of thunder that strikes at something
invincible : impossible to defeat determination: strong resolve, perseverance
gallant : brave, courageous
inspiring : motivating
account : a description of an event
fatal : causing death
POINTERS
1. Read the passage and answer the following questions :
(a) What is ‘Param Vir Chakra’ ?
Ans: Param Vir Chakra is India’s highest military decoration awarded for the most conspicuous bravery of some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice by our brave soilders, in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air.
(b) What is seen on the obverse and reverse of the PVC medal ?
Ans: On the obverse, it has the Indian National Emblem at the centre, surrounded by four replicas of ‘Indra’s Vajra’. On the reverse, the words Param Vir Chakra are engraved in Hindi and English with two lotus flowers in between them.
(c) Who designed the PVC medal ?
Ans: The Param Vir Chakra medal was designed by Savitribai Khanolkar.
(d) What makes Indra’s vajra or weapon invincible ?
Ans: The Indra’s Vajra or thunderbolt was fashioned from the bones of Sage Dadhichi, and the supreme sacrifice of the Sage makes the weapon invincible.
2. Write the story of Sage Dadhichi’s sacrifice in your own words.
Ans: Many, many years ago, a demon set out on a mission: stealing all the water in the world! The consequence was very serious. Innocent people suffered and lost their lives. They had no water to quench their thirst.
Defeating this demon with an ordinary weapon was not possible. An extraordinary weapon was required. Sage Dadhichi, whose bone had extraordinary power, was the only person who could save the people from the clutches of the demon. But how could anyone ask a man for his bones?
A noble man that Sage Dadhichi was, he himself sacrificed his life and gave his own bones to help the people. Using the bones of Sage Dadhichi, Indra’s weapon of thunderbolt was designed, and this matchless weapon helped Indra to defeat the demon.
Through Sage Dadhichi’s sacrifice, we learn the value of selflessness and the significance of sacrificing our own life for the larger good.
3. Read aloud the account of how Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon sacrificed his life to defend our country.
Ans: Students must do this on their own.
4. Find more information about other Param Vir Chakra awardees. Prepare a collage using photographs, pictures and text matter written in beautiful handwriting.
Ans: Students must do this on their own.
5. Find more information about the Indian Armed Forces – the Army, the Navy and the Air Force with the help of your teacher.
Ans: Students must do this on their own.
6. What can you do to show your love, respect and support to the soldiers who fight for the country? Discuss this in the classroom. For example, you can send greeting cards to them on various occasions, with the help of your teacher.
Ans: Students must do this on their own.
Sometimes, we use two or three adjectives together to describe a noun. In such cases, the order in which adjectives are used depends on the meaning. The adjectives that express/show your opinion about something are usually put first. The other adjectives are normally put in the following order :
size, age, shape, colour, origin, material, use or purpose.
Examples :
- a nice little basket
- a brave young woman
- a big red, plastic bag
- a noisy, old, drilling machine.