SHILLONG: Twelve-year-old Everbloom K Nongrum from Mawryngkneng village in East Khasi Hills has been awarded the Jeevan Raksha Padak Award, 2019, for displaying remarkable courage by coming to the aid and saving the lives of two of his friends.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Isawanda Laloo, presented the award to the boy on Wednesday, a statement issued here said.
The Jeevan Raksha Padak Award, an offshoot of the Ashoka Chakra series of Gallantry awards, is given by the President through the Ministry of Home Affairs for persons exhibiting meritorious acts in saving lives under circumstances like drowning, accidents, fire incidents, electrocution, natural calamities, rescue operation, etc.
The award comprised a medallion, small-sized replica of the main medal, certificate signed by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and a cheque of Rs 1 lakh.
On July 17 last year, in Mawryngkneng C&RD Block, a nine-year-old boy, Davin Sohtun, was playing at a construction site in the area, near a hole, left uncovered for nearly six months without fencing and filled with rainwater over the period of time. The accidentally fell into the 3-metre deep hole and his friends, who were present at the scene, started calling for help.
After hearing the cries, Everbloom K Nongrum rushed to the scene and jumped into the hole to rescue the boy. Nongrum pulled the drowning boy by the hair and saved his life.
Again in July 23, at the same site, another boy Wanphai Rani (8) slipped and fell into the same hole while playing.
Nongrum, who was at the scene this time, plunged into the water hole and saved him.
During the felicitation programme, the parents of Everbloom and the Sordar of Mawryngkneng village were also present.
The DC thanked the braveheart for displaying his valiancy at such a young age and wished that he continues to be a beacon of hope and promise to others around him. It may be mentioned that soon after the incidents, the water holes at the construction site were immediately covered by the concerned authority.