Govt felicitates National Bravery Award winners

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, January 19

The Delhi Government today felicitated children who have been chosen for National Bravery awards this year.

This year 25 children -- 12 girls and 13 boys – will be receiving the prestigious award from the Prime Minister on January 23. They will also participate in the Republic Day parade.

The winners were felicitated at a ceremony at the Delhi Secretariat attended by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendar Jain.

“These children saved lives without any expectations, which makes their bravery selfless. What these children have done, sometimes even adults fail to do. I salute the way parents have brought these children up by making them fearless and courageous,” Sisodia said.

Among the posthumously awarded children include Payal Devi of Jammu and Kashmir, who lost her life when she jumped into 17-20 ft deep water in Ramban during the flash floods in the Valley to save three students, but all of them were washed away.

The selection was made by high-powered committee comprising representatives of various ministries, departments, NGOs, as well as office-bearers of Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW).

Instituted in 1957, the awards are given annually to about 25 children for meritorious acts of bravery against all odds.

In 1987-88, ICCW instituted the Bharat Award for an exceptionally outstanding meritorious and gallant deed. Geeta Chopra Award and Sanjay Chopra awards were instituted in 1978 in memory of the teen siblings who were kidnapped and murdered in New Delhi with the infamous case known as Ranga Billa Case.