PM gives away National Bravery Awards

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave away National Bravery Awards to a select group of children at his official 7 Race Course Road (RCR) residence here on Friday.

Addressing the children after distributing the awards, Dr. Singh said: " This country has a lot of hope from children like yourselves, and I have no doubt, that all of you will meet these expectations."

While wishing the children all the best for the future, and for their success in whatever they chose to do in their lives, Dr. Singh: "All of you are the pride of the nation, and your acts of bravery indicate that the future of this country is in safe hands. I am confident that your acts of bravery will not only encourage other children, but also will inspire all citizens to work for the good of all and to do good work."

During his address, the Prime Minister also paid tribute and homage to the five brave children who had lost their lives while trying to save others in the year gone by.

At the start of his address, he made an special mention of Mausami Kashyap and Aryan Raj Shukla of Uttar Pradesh, M.Khayingthei of Manipur, Malsawmthiangi of Mizoram and L.Manio Chachei of Nagaland.

Dr. Singh said that by sacrificing their lives, these five children had set an example for the rest of the nation to follow.

He also referred to the acts of bravery of seven-and-a-half-year-old- Tanvi Nandkumar of Maharashtra who saved her four-year-old sister from drowning, which was no small feat.

Shilpa Sharma was praised for saving a child from a panther or leopard, while Shubham S. Chaudhari of Maharashtra was lauded for saving two children from a major fire.

Rajasthan's Malieka Singh Tak was lauded for taking on four adult attackers.

" Your participation in this year's Republic Day Parade is an important day in your lives, and I am convinced all of you will go away from this event with new experiences," the Prime Minister said.

He concluded his address by wishing the national bravery award winners and the Indian Council of Child Welfare all the best.