New Delhi: On the solemn and proud occasion of Vijay Diwas, President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Param Vir Gallery at Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking a historic transformation of its iconic corridors. The gallery now showcases portraits of all 21 recipients of India’s highest military honour, the Param Vir Chakra, replacing the earlier display of British-era ADC portraits and symbolising India’s journey from colonial legacy to national pride.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, along with other senior officials and dignitaries. The event also stood as a tribute to the families of the nation’s fallen heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the country.
The Param Vir Gallery reflects a powerful shift from symbols of colonial authority to icons of Indian courage and sacrifice. Once representative of imperial power, the Rashtrapati Bhavan corridors now resonate with stories of valour, leadership and unwavering commitment to the nation.
Instituted on January 26, 1950, the Param Vir Chakra recognises acts of exceptional bravery in the face of the enemy. Of the 21 awardees, 14 were honoured posthumously, underlining the ultimate price paid for India’s freedom and security. The gallery also chronicles landmark military campaigns, including the 1947–48 Jammu and Kashmir operations, the 1962 conflict with China, the wars of 1965 and 1971, the Bangladesh Liberation War, the 1999 Kargil conflict, and other significant operations.
The gallery pays homage to legendary heroes such as Major Somnath Sharma, Naik Jadunath Singh, Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, CQMH Abdul Hamid, Lance Naik Albert Ekka, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, Naib Subedar Bana Singh, Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran, Captain Vikram Batra and Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, among others, whose acts of courage continue to inspire generations.
Designed as a contemplative space, the Param Vir Gallery invites visitors to pause and reflect on the human stories behind the medals. Through carefully curated photographs, citations and exhibits, the gallery presents these tales of heroism with dignity and restraint, ensuring that honour and reverence remain at its core.
The inauguration on Vijay Diwas—commemorating India’s decisive victory in the 1971 war and the liberation of Bangladesh—adds deeper significance to the gallery. It reinforces the enduring link between national victories and the extraordinary bravery of the soldiers who made them possible.
The Param Vir Gallery stands not merely as a memorial, but as a living legacy—one that educates, inspires and reminds the nation that freedom is earned through courage, protected through sacrifice, and preserved through remembrance.
