STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: Lauding them for their exemplary courage, Delhi Government on Thursday felicitated children who have been chosen for National Bravery awards this year.
25 children — 12 girls and 13 boys — have been selected for the prestigious award, which they will receive from the Prime Minister on January 23 and thereafter participate in the Republic Day parade.
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 winners were felicitated at a ceremony at the Delhi Secretariat attended by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Delhi 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.
The President and several other dignitaries will also host receptions in the honour of the chosen children.
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 Iin memory of the teen siblings who were kidnapped and murdered in New Delhi, in what became known as the infamous ‘Ranga Billa Case’.