National Bravery Awards 2015 announced
SHILLONG: 13-year old Angelica Tynsong from Ri Bhoi district, who saved her seven-month-old brother from an inferno, and 24 other young bravehearts will be given the National Bravery Awards this year for their extraordinary courageous feats.
The children will receive their awards from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 24 and will also participate in Republic Day parade.
Angelica risked her life to save her brother Carmel Tyngsong from an inferno that had engulfed their home at Pahamrioh village under Nongpoh PS in Ri Bhoi District on February 1, 2015.
At the time of the incident, her little brother was sleeping inside the house while she was washing clothes outside. Their parents – Ritnenglang Shangpliang and Litidian Tynsong – were not present in the house at the time of the incident.
Angelica, second among seven siblings, is a student of Class-II in Presbyterian LP School, Pahamrioh.
PTI adds from Delhi: 15-year-old Gaurav Kawduji Sahastrabuddhe from Maharashtra, who sacrificed his life while saving his four friends, will be awarded with ‘Bharat Award’, the highest of the National Bravery awards, which his parents will receive on his behalf along with the parents of 13-year-old Shivansh Singh, also to be awarded posthumously for sacrificing his life in a valiant effort to save his friend from drowning in Saryu river.
The prestigious Geeta Chopra award will be given to 8-year-old Shivampet Ruchitha of Telangana who displayed exemplary valour in saving two lives when a train hit her school bus, while 16-year-old Arjun Singh will be awarded with Sanjay Chopra Award for displaying outstanding bravery in fighting a tiger to save his mother.
Ramdinthara (15) of Mizoram, who saved two persons from electrocution will be awarded with Bapu Gaidhani Award, along with Rakeshbhai Shanabhai Patel (13) of Gujarat and Aromal SM (12) from Kerala. While Rakeshbhai saved a boy who accidentally fell into a deep well, Aromal rescued two ladies from drowning.
The awardees were selected by a high powered committee comprising representatives of various Ministries and NGOs. The National Bravery Award Scheme was initiated by the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) to give due recognition to the children who distinguish themselves by performing outstanding deeds of bravery and meritorious service. The bravehearts will receive a medal, certificate and cash.
“The awardees will be granted financial assistance until they complete their schooling. Some state governments also provide financial assistance to them. In addition, ICCW provides assistance under its Indira Gandhi Scholarship Scheme to those undertaking professional courses such as engineering and medicine,” said Gita Siddhartha, President, ICCW.