Savitri Khanolkar

Designer

Indian Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Quick Info

ProfessionDesigner
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth20/07/1913
Age77 years (died on 26, Nov, 1990)
BirthplaceNeuchâtel, Switzerland
Date of Death26/11/1990

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Bio/Wiki

Birth NameEve Yvonne Maday de Maros
Full NameSavitri Bai Khanolkar

Educational Qualification(s)

College/UniversityPatna University

Personal Life

Religion/Religious ViewsHindu
Food HabitVegetarian
Hobbies
  • Dancing
  • Singing
  • Painting
  • Indian classical dance and music

Relationships & More

Marital StatusWidow
Marriage Date1932

Family

SpouseVikram Ramji Khanolkar
ChildrenKumudini Khanolkar
Parents
FatherAndré de Maday
MotherMarthe Hentzelt

Career

Notable AchievementDesigning India's highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra
Major Works
  • Param Vir Chakra design (introduced 26/01/1950)
  • Book: The Saints Of Maharashtra
  • Ashok Chakra design
  • Maha Vir Chakra design
  • Kirti Chakra design
  • Vir Chakra design
  • Shaurya Chakra design
  • General Service Medal 1947
Organizations
  • North India Flying Club
  • Ramakrishna Math

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Savitri's education journey started in Geneva.
2. She cherished the values of Indian culture deeply.
3. At Geneva beach, she met Vikram Ramji Khanolkar.
4. Through letters, Savitri and Vikram began their communication.
5. Following her marriage, Savitri pursued her education at Patna University.
6. Notably, she designed prestigious gallantry awards such as the Param Vir Chakra.
7. During the India-Pakistan partition, she provided aid to displaced individuals.
8. Known for her simplicity, Savitri later became part of Ramakrishna Math.
9. She was proficient in Hindi, English, French, Marathi, and Konkani.
10. Savitri penned a book called 'The Saints Of Maharashtra'.
11. Her marriage to Vikram faced opposition from family and British officials.
12. Savitri expressed disapproval of being labeled a foreigner, feeling her birth in Europe was a mistake.
13. Met Vikram Ramji Khanolkar in 1929 while skiing in Switzerland; he was a cadet at Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.
14. She had deep knowledge of Indian culture, Sanskrit, and Vedas, which influenced the Param Vir Chakra design.
15. The Param Vir Chakra design was inspired by Indra's Vajra and the mythological warrior Shivaji's sword Bhavani.
16. She converted to Hinduism and adopted the name Savitri Bai Khanolkar after moving to India.
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