Who was the first indian to be honored with Param Vir Chakra?
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Major Somnath Sharma
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Lt General Punita Arora
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Major Punita Arora
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Lt General Somnath Sharma
To determine the first Indian to be honored with the Param Vir Chakra, we need to understand the significance of the Param Vir Chakra and the individuals listed as options.
The Param Vir Chakra is the highest military decoration awarded for acts of valor during wartime. It is awarded to members of the Indian Armed Forces. Each option represents a different individual, and we need to identify the first Indian to receive this honor.
A. Major Somnath Sharma: Major Somnath Sharma was the first Indian to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra. He received this honor posthumously for his exemplary leadership and bravery during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.
B. Lt General Punita Arora: Lt General Punita Arora is not the correct answer. While she holds the distinction of being the first woman officer in the Indian Armed Forces to attain the rank of Lieutenant General, she did not receive the Param Vir Chakra.
C. Major Punita Arora: Major Punita Arora is not the correct answer. While she is a highly decorated officer and served in the Indian Army Medical Corps, she did not receive the Param Vir Chakra.
D. Lt General Somnath Sharma: Lt General Somnath Sharma is not the correct answer. While the name is similar to Major Somnath Sharma, he is not the first Indian to receive the Param Vir Chakra.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
A. Major Somnath Sharma
Major Somnath Sharma was posthumously awarded India's first Param Vir Chakra, the nation's highest military honor, for his heroic defense during the 1947 Battle of Badgam against Pakistani raiders in Kashmir. His actions, where he held off a much larger force at great personal cost, set the standard the award recognizes. The other options are not linked to being first recipients of this decoration.