Unbelievable facts about India very few know.
Savitri Khanolkar was born Eve Yvonne Maday de Maro a swiss national married to an Indian Army Captian Ramji Khanolkar. Khanolkar along with a designer was also a painter and an artist.
She was entrusted with the task of designing Medals by Major General Atal because of her astute knowledge and understanding of India.
Khanolkar also designed several other major gallantry medals including the Ashok Chakra (AC), Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), Kirti Chakra (KC), Vir Chakra (VrC), and Shaurya Chakra (SC). She had also designed the General Service Medal 1947, which was used until 1965.
She always claimed that she had been “born in Europe by mistake” as she was an Indian soul and woe unto him who dared to call her a “foreigner”!
Who knew a swiss could go on to design the highest symbol of bravery in India?