When Was The Ashok Chakra First Given Out?

The Ashoka Chakra is a peacetime award for military service, awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional bravery, indomitable spirit, and supreme sacrifice. It was first awarded to Havildar Bachittar Singh and Naik Narbahadur Thapa, who were the first recipients of the award. Subsequent awards are recognized by a bar on the medal ribbon. A recipient can also be awarded the Kirti Chakra or Shaurya Chakra in addition to separate acts of gallantry.

The Ashoka Chakra was established on 4 January 1952 and renamed as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra respectively in January 1967. These awards are announced twice a year, first on the occasion of Republic Day. The most visible use of the Ashoka Chakra today is at the center of the Flag of India (adopted on 22 July 1947), where it is rendered in a navy blue color on a white background.

Constituted first in 1950 as the Ashoka Chakra, Class 1, this Medal was the highest awarded for gallantry away from the battlefield, or not in the face of the enemy. In January 2019, Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani was awarded with the Ashoka Chakra from the Indian Air Force.

Post-independence, the first three gallantry awards namely Param Vir Chakra were renamed as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra. Flt Lt Suhas Biswas awarded the First Ashoka Chakra to the Indian Air Force for the presence of mind, skill, and cool courage in maintaining the Stricken Line.

Who was the first Indian to get the param vir chakra?

Major Somnath Sharma, born on 31 January 1923, was the first recipient of India’s highest gallantry award, the Param Vir chakra. He was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment (later 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment) on February 22, 1942. Sharma’s recognition was due to his efforts in protecting the Srinagar airport during the Pakistan-led tribal revolt in 1948. His actions thwarted the attack by Pakistani raiders and allowed the Indian army to fortify defenses around Srinagar, preventing Kashmir from falling into enemy hands.

Major Sharma’s professionalism was evident during World War IInd’s Burma campaign against the Japanese. One memorable event during the campaign was when his orderly, Bahadur, was badly wounded and unable to walk. Despite instructions from higher authorities to leave him, Somnath refused, eventually saving his life. This spirit still highlights the ethos of the army today, as the army never leaves any of its brethren behind on the battlefield.

Which flag is similar to India?

The flags of Niger, Côte d’Ivoire, Ireland, and Belize exhibit notable similarities in design, with Belize being the sole exception, as it does not feature a rectangular flag. Instead, it incorporates human figures.

What is the history of Ashoka?

Ashoka, the last major emperor of the Mauryan dynasty of India, was known for his strong support of Buddhism and his policy of “conquest by dharma” (conquest by principles of right life). After his bloody conquest of the Kalinga country, Ashoka renounced armed conquest and adopted a policy of “conquest by dharma”. The Lion Capital of Ashoka, which topped an ancient memorial pillar in Sarnath, is now in a museum in India.

To gain publicity for his teachings and work, Ashoka made them known through oral announcements and engravings on rocks and pillars. These inscriptions, including the lion capital of the pillar found at Sarnath, provide information on his life and acts, with his utterances being characterized by frankness and sincerity.

Who is the first woman to get Ashok?

Kamlesh Kumari, a late member of the Central Reserve Police Force, was the inaugural female recipient of the Ashok Chakra, India’s most esteemed peacetime honor, bestowed upon her by President K. R. Narayanan on January 26, 2021.

Who is the youngest recipient of Ashoka Chakra?

In India, Neerja Bhanot, the youngest Ashoka Chakra recipient, is regarded as a symbol of courage. However, her parents considered her the “Lado,” a name they had chosen months before her arrival.

How old is Ashoka Chakra?

The Medal of Honor, established in 1952 and renamed in 1967, is a circular medal measuring one and three-eighth inches in diameter. It features rims on both sides and is made of gold-gilt to honor the most conspicuous act of bravery or daring valor.

How old is Ashok Chakra?

The decoration was established on January 4, 1952, and renamed on January 27, 1967. It is awarded in recognition of acts of bravery, daring, valor, or self-sacrifice in circumstances that do not involve direct confrontation with an enemy force.

When was Ashok Chakra added to Indian flag?

The Indian flag’s design initially featured the charkha, a spinning wheel used for weaving clothes, which was an essential symbol of the independence struggle. However, on July 22, 1947, the charkha was changed to the Ashoka Chakra due to concerns from other political parties that the Congress Party flag did not accurately represent India’s progress. The Ashoka Chakra was suggested by B. R. Ambedkar to honor the warrior-turned-pacifist Buddhist emperor Ashoka and was modeled after the ‘wheel of dharma’ religious motif from Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. The flag makers attributed a meaning to each spoke, representing a value that India would use to progress in the world.

Who received the first Ashoka Chakra?

The Ashoka Chakra, first established in 1952, is a non-combatant bravery decoration in India. It was initially a Class I medal, but in 1967, it was renamed as the Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra. This change influenced the Padma Vibhushan, distinguished service, life-saving, and Defence Security Corps medal series. Since 1999, the central government has provided a monthly stipend of Rs. 1400 for Ashoka Chakra recipients, while Jammu and Kashmir has awarded a cash award of Rs. 1500. This change has influenced the Indian view of decorations and the award system.

What is the origin of the Ashoka Chakra?

The Ashoka Chakra is an Indian symbol representing the dharmachakra, or “wheel of dharma”, which appears on various edicts of Ashoka the Great. It is prominently displayed on the Lion Capital of Ashoka and is the most visible symbol on the Indian flag, adopted in 1947. The Ashoka Chakra medal, the highest award for peacetime gallantry, is also a representation of this symbol.

After Gautama Buddha achieved enlightenment, he found his five disciples in Sarnath and introduced his teachings, establishing the Dharmachakra. The 24 spokes represent the twelve causal links taught by the Buddha and paṭiccasamuppāda (Dependent Origination, Conditional Arising) in forward and then reverse order. The first 12 spokes represent 12 stages of suffering, while the next 12 represent no cause no effect, indicating that mental conditioning stops due to awareness of the mind. The symbol also depicts the “wheel of time” and the twelve causal links paired with their corresponding symbols.