- 18 children, including 7 girls will be awarded National Bravery Awards 2017 on January 24.
- Three of the 18 brave-hearts are being awarded posthumously.
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will award these brave hearts of the society at a function in New Delhi on January 24, 2018.
List of awardee
Bharat Award: Km. Nazia of Uttar Pradesh
Geeta Chopra Award: Late Km. Netravati M. Chavan of Karnataka
Sanjay Chopra Award:Master Karanbeer Singh of Punjab
Bapu Gaidhani Award: Master Betshwajohn Peinlang of Meghalaya, Km. Mamata Dalai of Odisha, and Master Sebastian Vincent of Kerala.
About the awards
- 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 and to inspire other children to emulate their example.
- It was in 1957 that two children – a boy and a girl – were first rewarded for their presence of mind and courage. Since then ICCW decided to confer national awards on children every year.
- In 1987-88 ICCW instituted the Bharat Award for an exceptionally outstanding, meritorious and gallant deed.
- Currently awards are given in five categories namely; the Geeta Chopra and Sanjay Chopra awards (instituted by ICCW in 1978), Bharat Award (Since 1987-88) and the Bapu Gaidhani Awards (instituted in 1988-89).
- Since the inception of the scheme in 1957, ICCW has given awards to 963 brave children – 680 boys and 283 girls.
- Benefits: The awardees receive a medal, certificate and cash. Eligible awardees are granted financial assistance until they complete their schooling. Some State Governments also provide financial assistance to them. In addition, ICCW provides financial assistance under its Indira Gandhi Scholarship Scheme to those undertaking professional courses such as engineering and medicine. The Government of India has reserved some seats for the awardees in medical and engineering colleges and polytechnics.
