Twenty five children, including three girls and 22 boys, have been selected for the National Bravery Awards for 2015. Two of the awards have been given posthumously. The coveted Bharat Award has been conferred on 15 year old Late Master Gaurav Kawduji Sahastrabuddhe of Maharashta. He sacrificed his life in an attempt to save four of his friends.
The prestigious Geeta Chopra award has been conferred on eight year old Shivampet Ruchitha of Telangana. She displayed exemplary valour in saving two lives when a train hit her school bus. The Sanjay Chopra award has been given to 16 year old master Arjun Singh of Uttarakhand who displayed outstanding bravery in fighting a tiger to save his mother.
The children will receive their awards from the Prime Minister on 24th of January and will participate in the Republic Day parade. President Pranab Mukherjee will also host a reception in their honour. The national bravery award scheme was initiated by the Indian Council for Child Welfare, ICCW, to give due recognition to the children who perform outstanding deeds of bravery and meritorious service. The awardees receive a medal, certificate and cash. Since the inception of the scheme in 1957, the ICCW has given awards to 920 brave children – 656 boys and 264 girls.