In pictures: President Murmu inaugurates Param Vir Dirgha at Rashtrapati Bhavan; portraits of all 21 awardees on display

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday inaugurated the Param Vir Dirgha, a gallery at Rashtrapati Bhavan dedicated to India’s highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra, on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.

The gallery features portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, commemorating their exceptional acts of valour, courage, and self-sacrifice during war. India’s highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra, recognises extraordinary bravery, courage, and selfless sacrifice during war.

“The gallery aims to educate visitors about our national heroes who displayed dauntless resolve and unconquerable spirit in defending our nation. It is also an initiative to honour the memory of our bravehearts who have laid down their lives in the service of the motherland,” a statement issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan said.



The corridors housing the Param Vir Dirgha previously displayed portraits of British Aides-de-camp (ADCs) during colonial times.

The new gallery marks a symbolic shift from colonial legacies to a celebration of India’s heroes, reflecting the richness of the nation’s culture, heritage, and timeless traditions.

Vijay Diwas, observed every year on 16 December, commemorates India’s decisive victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, which led to the liberation of Bangladesh.




The Indian Army paid tribute to the courage and valour of the armed forces on the occasion. In a post on X, the Army wrote: “Vijay Diwas is not just a date, it stands as the symbol of the historic and decisive victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the 1971 War.” The post added: “It was a victory where the Mukti Bahini and the Indian Armed Forces fought shoulder-to-shoulder, together giving the Bangladesh Liberation struggle its decisive thrust toward freedom… A triumph that reshaped India’s military history, redrew the map of South Asia and gave birth to a new nation, Bangladesh.”
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