Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday presented the National Bravery Awards to 25 children from different parts of the country who have been selected for the honour by the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW).
"Their deeds of bravery show these children's decisiveness and courage," the Prime Minister said during the felicitation ceremony.
Interacting with the awardees, he said: "You must ensure that this award does not become the end of your life's purpose, but rather should only mark the beginning."
He said that bravery is a state of mind; a healthy body helps, but the prime moving force is the mind.
He further added, "We need to make the mind strong. The adulation and fame that you are getting, should not become an obstacle to the future progress."
Modi reminded the children about the significance of the day -- January 23 which is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary -- and urged them to read as much as possible.
Children from the north-eastern states dominated the awards.
The Bharat Award winner, who is given a gold medal, was given posthumously to 8-year-old Tarh Peeju from Arunachal Pradesh. The youngest winner lost her life while rescuing two of her friends who were swept away by strong currents while crossing a river.
10- year-old Thanghilmang Lunkim from Nagaland was also awarded for rescuing his brother in similar circumstances.
Another young and daring girl from Mizoram, H. Lalhriatpuii, too won another Bapu Gaidhani Award posthumously for coming to the aid of her cousin caught in a car rolling down a hill, disregarding her own safety. While she managed to save her cousin Lalhriatpui was run over by the car and succumbed to her injuries.
Roluahpuii, a 13-year-old girl from Mizoram, was also honoured with Bapu Gaidhani award posthumously, for saving two school friends from drowning in a river.
Moirangthem Sadananda Singh, a 14-year old from Manipur, was recognised for rescuing his mother from an electric shock.
Five of the awardees are from the North-Eastern states. Among the 20 other winners was also a 12-year resident of Jammu and Kashmir who lost her life while trying to protect three students during flash floods last year.
One of the most daring acts was perhaps committed by Anshika Pandey from UP who was able to escape an abduction bid through her sheer bravery and fearlessness.
The National Bravery Award is given to children between the ages of six to eighteen years and are divided into four main categories- Bharat Award, Sanjay Chopra Award, Geeta Chopra Award, Bapu Gaidhani Award, and General National Bravery Awards.
The Geeta Chopra Award this year went to two girls - Tejasweeta Pradhan and Shivani Gond- for exposing a trafficking racket and the Sanjay Chopra Award was given to Sumit Mamgain from Uttarakhand for rescuing his cousin from a leopard attack.
The National Bravery Award Scheme was initiated by the ICCW in 1957 to give recognition to children who distinguish themselves by performing outstanding deeds of bravery and meritorious service.
(With agencies inputs)
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