The nation is all set to confer the national bravery awards to honour 18 of its young brave hearts including 11 boys and seven girls.
Notably, 10 out of the 18 young brave hearts are from the North-east.
Among them, 17-year-old F Lalchhandama from Mizoram and 15-year-old Loukrakpam Rajeshwori Chanu from Manipur will be awarded the Award posthumously.
Betshwajohn Peinlang (14) of Meghalaya will be awarded with the Bapu Gaidhani Award for rescuing his 3-year-old brother from their burning house.
The other recipients are Betshwajohn Peinlang (14) of Meghalaya, Mansha N, N Shangpon Konyak, Yoaknei and Chingai Wangsa – all from Nagaland, Zonuntluanga from Mizoram, and Maurice Yengkhom (14) and Chongtham Kuber Meitei (12) from Manipur.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to present the awards on January 24 in New Delhi. The awardees will participate in the Republic Day parade in the national capital, which is one of the main attractions of the event.
The awards are categorized into five sections – Bharat Award, Geeta Chopra Award, Sanjay Chopra Award, Bapu Gaidhani Award, and General National Bravery Awards.
The selection was made by a high-powered committee comprising representatives of various ministries and departments, non-government organizations as well as office bearers of Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW).
President Ram Nath Kovind and several other dignitaries will host receptions in their honour. Several other states from which these young brave hearts are selected have also lined up programmes to felicitate them.
The awards carry a medal, a certificate and a cash prize. Eligible awardees will also be granted financial assistance until they complete their schooling.
The National Bravery Award Scheme was an initiation on the part of the Indian Council of Child Welfare in order to give proper diligence to the children who distinguish themselves by performing outstanding acts of bravery and other meritorious service. They become inspiration to other children and encourage people in the society to follow in their example.