Every year, the National Bravery Awards honour children who demonstrate extraordinary courage in difficult and dangerous situations. The awardees have performed remarkable acts to protect their friends, family members, neighbours and even strangers.
On January 24, New Delhi became the venue for a gathering of some of India’s bravest young citizens as Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the National Bravery Awards to 25 children. The group included three girls and 22 boys, each recognised for displaying exceptional courage.
Their stories range from rescuing people from drowning and saving family members from fires to confronting dangerous animals and helping victims of accidents.
The National Bravery Award scheme was started by the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) to recognise children between the ages of 6 and 18 who demonstrate outstanding bravery and inspire others through their actions.
The awards are presented across five categories: the Bharat Award, Sanjay Chopra Award, Geeta Chopra Award, Bapu Gaidhani Award and General National Bravery Awards. Recipients receive a medal, certificate and cash prize. The Bharat Award carries a gold medal, while recipients in the other categories receive silver medals. Under the ICCW’s scholarship support programme, award-winning children also receive financial assistance for their education.
Here are the remarkable stories of the 25 award recipients.
1. Shivampet Ruchitha, Telangana
At just eight years old, Shivampet Ruchitha became the youngest recipient of the National Bravery Award that year.
On July 24, 2014, Ruchitha was travelling in a school bus when it stopped on a railway track and a train approached. Realising the danger, she immediately acted to help two of her classmates. She pushed them through a window to safety before jumping out of the bus herself.
Sadly, Ruchitha could not save her younger sister, who was sitting in the front row. Her younger brother suffered serious injuries but later recovered. The tragic accident claimed the lives of 16 students, along with the driver and conductor.
Ruchitha was honoured with the Geeta Chopra Award.
2. Arjun Singh, Uttarakhand
Sixteen-year-old Arjun Singh displayed remarkable courage when a tiger entered his home in Uttarakhand in July 2014.
His mother fainted when she saw the animal, leaving Arjun to confront the dangerous situation. He went into another room and picked up a sickle, but soon realised it was too short to use effectively.
He then grabbed a stick and used it to keep the tiger away. Arjun continued confronting the animal until villagers arrived. The tiger eventually fled when it saw the gathering crowd.
For his bravery, Arjun received the Sanjay Chopra Award.
3. Late Shivansh Singh, Uttar Pradesh
Fourteen-year-old Shivansh Singh from Faizabad was a medal-winning swimmer who lost his life while attempting to rescue a friend from drowning in the Saryu River.
He was posthumously awarded the prestigious Bharat Award in recognition of his courage and sacrifice.
4. Late Gaurav Kawduji Sahastrabuddhe, Maharashtra
Gaurav Kawduji Sahastrabuddhe was only 15 when he attempted to rescue four friends who were drowning in Ambazari Lake.
A skilled swimmer, Gaurav was at the lake with his friends in June 2014. When he noticed them struggling in the water, he immediately went to their aid.
He managed to rescue all four. However, while attempting to bring the final boy to safety, Gaurav struck his head against a submerged stone and drowned.
He was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Award.
5. Aromal SM, Kerala
Twelve-year-old Aromal SM was among the award recipients from Kerala.
He demonstrated exceptional courage by rescuing two women who were drowning in a 14-foot-deep pond.
His brave action earned him the Bapu Gaidhani Award.
6. Rakeshbhai Shanabhai Patel, Gujarat
Thirteen-year-old Rakeshbhai Shanabhai Patel was recognised with the Bapu Gaidhani Award after saving a boy who accidentally fell into a well.
His quick response helped protect the boy from a potentially fatal accident.
7. Ramdinthara, Mizoram
On January 2, 2015, 15-year-old Ramdinthara noticed two boys trapped against a transformer fence.
Despite the obvious danger, he overcame his fear and immediately went to help them. He pulled the boys away from the fence and helped get them to a hospital.
Ramdinthara, whose father worked as a tea seller, was passing by when he noticed the boys struggling. His quick thinking and willingness to help earned him the Bapu Gaidhani Award.
8. Abinash Mishra, Odisha
Twelve-year-old Abinash Mishra witnessed his friend drowning in the Kushabhadra River.
Without hesitation, he entered the river, reached his friend and helped bring him safely to shore.
For his courage and quick response, Abinash received the General National Bravery Award.
9. Chongtham Kuber Meitei, Manipur
Thirteen-year-old Chongtham Kuber Meitei became a local hero after rescuing a girl from a 10-foot-deep well.
Although he was frightened, Kuber understood that immediate action was necessary. He entered the well and brought the girl to safety.
His bravery was recognised with the General National Bravery Award.
10. Kashish Dhanani, Gujarat
Ten-year-old Kashish Dhanani demonstrated courage while protecting his 15-month-old sibling from a German Shepherd.
His actions during the dangerous situation earned him the General National Bravery Award.
11. Muhammad Shamnad, Kerala
Fourteen-year-old Muhammad Shamnad was recognised for risking his own safety to rescue a young girl who was drowning in a pond.
His courageous intervention earned him the General National Bravery Award.
12. Mohit Mahendra Dalvi, Maharashtra
Fourteen-year-old Mohit Mahendra Dalvi rescued his 10-year-old neighbour from drowning in Banganga Lake.
When the girl, Krishna Pashtye, slipped into the lake, Mohit was the only person among the nearby onlookers who immediately entered the water to help.
Mohit was a capable swimmer and managed to locate the girl after she became stuck in mud. He freed her and brought her out of the water with help from others who arrived afterward.
For his bravery, Mohit received the General National Bravery Award.
13. Abhijith K.V., Kerala
Fifteen-year-old Abhijith K.V. was honoured with the General National Bravery Award after saving his friend from drowning in a 25-foot-deep pond.
His courage and ability to act quickly in a dangerous situation earned him national recognition.
14. Sarwanand Saha, Chhattisgarh
Sarwanand Saha received the General National Bravery Award after rescuing a man who was drowning in the Mahanadi River.
His willingness to put himself at risk to save another person made him one of the year’s recognised young heroes.
15. Sai Krishna Akhil Kilambi, Telangana
Fifteen-year-old Sai Krishna Akhil Kilambi saved his mother from an electrical accident at their home in Agapura.
His mother came into contact with a live electric wire while washing the floor. Understanding the danger, Sai Krishna quickly moved to switch off the main electricity supply while taking care not to step into the water.
His presence of mind helped save his mother’s life.
He received the General National Bravery Award.
16. Dishant Mehndiratta, Haryana
On April 4, 2015, Dishant Mehndiratta was at home in Panchkula with his mother and younger brother when an unknown man arrived at their house.
The visitor initially asked to meet Dishant’s father. After speaking to her husband by phone, Dishant’s mother learned that he did not recognise the man.
The stranger then asked to use the bathroom. When Dishant’s mother showed him the way, the situation suddenly became dangerous as the man threatened her with a knife and demanded money and valuables.
Dishant quickly thought of a way to respond. He pretended to plead with the intruder and then suddenly grabbed the knife from him and threw it away.
The family raised an alarm, and the man was eventually arrested.
Dishant received the General National Bravery Award for his courageous actions.
17. Joena Chakraborty, Chhattisgarh
Ten-year-old Joena Chakraborty showed remarkable determination after a man snatched her father’s mobile phone.
Instead of simply watching the thief escape, Joena immediately chased him. She anticipated that he would enter a narrow alley and managed to reach the area ahead of him.
Despite warnings from people nearby that the man might be carrying a knife, Joena confronted him and helped recover her father’s phone.
Her courage earned her the General National Bravery Award.
18. Nilesh Bhil, Maharashtra
Nilesh Bhil from Kothli was honoured with the General National Bravery Award after saving a boy from drowning.
His actions demonstrated exceptional courage and concern for another person’s safety.
19. Beedhovan, Kerala
Fourteen-year-old Beedhovan was recognised with the General National Bravery Award for rescuing a boy from an electrical accident.
His quick response in a dangerous situation helped prevent a potentially serious outcome.
20. Nithin Philip Mathew, Kerala
Thirteen-year-old Nithin Philip Mathew was honoured for helping rescue his neighbour’s family after their house caught fire following a cylinder blast.
His courageous actions during the emergency earned him the General National Bravery Award.
21. Bhimsen, Uttar Pradesh
On November 16, a boat overturned in the Saryu River.
Twelve-year-old Bhimsen was nearby in his own boat when he saw people in danger. He immediately entered the water and helped rescue 14 people who were at risk of drowning.
His extraordinary courage earned him recognition as a National Bravery Award recipient.
22. Angelica Tynsong, Meghalaya
Thirteen-year-old Angelica Tynsong from Ri Bhoi district showed great courage when her house caught fire on February 1, 2015.
Her seven-month-old brother was sleeping inside the house while Angelica was washing clothes. Their parents were away at the time.
Angelica acted quickly to rescue her young brother from the burning house and was subsequently honoured for her bravery.
23. Anandu Dileep, Kerala
Fourteen-year-old Anandu Dileep was travelling to his tuition class with friends when one of them slipped from a bridge and fell into a 10-foot-deep canal.
Without hesitation, Anandu entered the water and rescued his friend.
His courageous response earned him recognition with the General National Bravery Award.
24. Maurice Yengkhom, Manipur
Fourteen-year-old Maurice Yengkhom was playing on a terrace with a friend when the friend suddenly suffered an electric shock.
Realising that his friend was in danger, Maurice quickly looked for a way to separate him from the electrical source. He used a cane chair to help free his friend from the dangerous situation.
His presence of mind and courage earned him the General National Bravery Award.
25. Vaibhav Ramesh Ghangare, Maharashtra
Vaibhav Ramesh Ghangare from Wardha was another recipient of the General National Bravery Award.
He was recognised for saving a six-year-old child from drowning.
His willingness to step forward and help a child in danger made him one of the young recipients honoured for extraordinary courage.
The Courage Behind the Awards
The stories of these 25 children demonstrate that courage is not limited by age. Each of them faced a difficult situation and chose to act when someone else needed help.
From rescuing people from drowning and responding to fires and electrical accidents to confronting dangerous situations, their actions earned them national recognition.
The National Bravery Awards were created to recognise such extraordinary acts and encourage young people to develop courage, responsibility and compassion toward others.
