NEW DELHI: From 11-year-old Shavan Singh’s heartwarming story about his community service Operation Sindoor – who regularly delivers water, milk and lassi to Indian soldiers stationed near his home on the Punjab border – to seven-year-old chess prodigy from Gujarat, Vaka Lakshmi Pragnika, the stories of the 20 Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar recipients reflect resilience, courage and achievement.On Friday in Veer Bal Diwas, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the awards to children from 18 states for exceptional achievements in the fields of bravery, social service, environment, sports, arts and culture and science and technology at an event organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.Later, Prime Minister Modi interacted with the awardees before addressing a program at Bharat Mandapam and praised their achievements.Speaking to TOI, Shavan Singh, a fourth-class student from Chak Taran Wali village in Ferozepur province of Punjab, said that he was thinking about the soldiers stationed at the frontline and asked his parents if he could take important items for them when drones started flying over his house. When asked if he was afraid, Shavan replied “bilkul nahin” (not at all) and added that he wants to join the army.Another inspiring awardee is Vansh Tayal from Chandigarh, who was awarded in the social service category. Vansh was orphaned during the Covid pandemic in 2021 and lives in a child care facility. Despite his own emotional challenges, he volunteered to care for a six-year-old abandoned child with disabilities and contributed to the child’s rehabilitation. Vansh, who is now in Class 12, said he aspires to become a psychologist.President Murmu praised the children and said that India is considered a chess power because of talented youth like Pragnika. She also noted the bravery of the honorees. Ajay Raj (9) from Agra saved his father from a crocodile attack while Mohammed Sidan P (11) from Palakkad in Kerala saved two friends from electrocution.Vyoma Priya (9) from Coimbatore and Kamlesh Kumar (11) from Kaimur lost their lives while rescuing others.The President also praised disabled sportsperson Shivani Hosuru Uppara for overcoming several economic and physical limitations and Vaibhav Suryavanshi of Samastipur for making a name for himself in cricket.
