Few know that India’s highest military honour, the Param Vir Chakra, was designed by a woman born in Europe. Eve Yvonne Maday de Maros, born in Switzerland in 1913, defied convention by following her Indian Army officer love to India and marrying him in 1932. Upon embracing her new homeland, she changed her name to Savitri Bai Khanolkar, deeply immersing herself in Indian traditions—learning Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindu scriptures, art, music, and dance.

Soon after independence, Major General Hira Lal Atal, India's first Adjutant General, personally requested Khanolkar to design a truly Indian symbol of gallantry - the Param Vir Chakra. Drawing from her rich understanding of Indian mythology, she incorporated Indra’s Vajra, forged from sage Dadhichi’s bones, and Chhatrapati Shivaji’s sword, Bhavani, into a bronze disc suspended by a purple ribbon.

The first medal was awarded on India’s first Republic Day, 1950, to Major Somnath Sharma - ironically, her own son-in-law’s brother. Beyond this iconic design, Savitri Khanolkar also crafted other gallantry awards like the Ashok Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, and Vir Chakra.

Her story is a powerful testament to cultural transformation and creative legacy - a foreign-born woman who became Indian in spirit and immortalized the nation’s bravery through her artistry.