Born Eve Yvonne Maday de Maros in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, she married Indian Army Captain (later Major General) Vikram Ramji Khanolkar in 1932, and subsequently changed her name to Savitri Bai Khanolkar, became a Hindu and acquired Indian citizenship.
From a Marathi family, Khanolkar was a young Indian Army cadet undergoing training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, and was visiting Switzerland during a term break.
Savitri Bai identified so closely with Hindu traditions and ideals, that her integration into Indian society was smooth and effortless.
She was so fascinated with Indian culture she read extensively from Hindu scriptures and had a deep knowledge of India's ancient history and legends.
It was this knowledge which led Major General Hira Lal Atal, the creator of the Param Vir Chakra, to ask for Savitri Bai's help in designing a medal that would truly symbolize the highest bravery.
Savitribai gave Major General Hira Lal Atal, the design of the double Vajra, common in Tibet.