PM presents National Bravery Awards to 22 children

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday presented the National Bravery Awards to 22 children for their courageous acts which saved the lives of other people.
    
Observing that such children form the backbone of the country and make the nation strong and developed, he said those being awarded now are sure to scale new heights in the future.
    
Singh had a special mention for young Ankit Rai of Uttar Pradesh who saved himself from kidnappers who were trying to kill him and lost his left hand in the process.
    
The Prime Minister also lauded 13-year old Congress Kanwar who opposed her parents desire marry her off at a young age and called the police instead.
    
"Educating girls is every parent's duty," he asserted.
    
Enumerating some other examples which according to him were brave acts, he said, "there are lakhs of children in this country who do brave deeds like not cheating in exams and not lying."
    
Out of the 22 awardees -- four girls and 18 boys - four were honoured posthumously.
    
The coveted Bharat Award went to Babita (17) and Amarjeet (15), who saved several people from drowning in Haryana. The prestigious Geeta Chopra award has been conferred posthumously on Lalrempuri of Mizoram, who resisted a rape attempt and fought with her assailant until she died.
    
The selection was made by a high-powered committee comprising representatives of various ministries, non-government organisations as well as senior members of the Indian Council of Child Welfare (ICCW).
    
The awardees will participate in the Republic Day parade seated on ornately decorated elephants.