Odisha’s Mamata, Pankaj get National Bravery Award

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday presented the National Bravery Awards to 18 children including two from Odisha. Three of these awards were presented posthumously.

Odisha’s Mamata Dalai, a 6.8-year-old girl from Kendrapara district, saved her sister from a giant crocodile. Pankaj, the 13.11-year-old boy from Keonjhar district, had saved three women from drowning in the Baitarani River.

Interacting with the awardees, the Prime Minister said their deeds of bravery are discussed extensively, and also highlighted by the media.

Therefore, he added, they inspire other children, and often engender a sense of self-confidence among other children.

The Prime Minister remarked that most of the awardees are from rural and humble backgrounds.

He said that perhaps their daily struggles had helped instil resilience in them, to deal courageously in adverse situations.

The Prime Minister congratulated all the award winners, their parents and schoolteachers. He also appreciated those, who recorded their instances of bravery, and helped draw attention to them.

Narendra Modi said that after such recognition, future expectations from the awardees become higher than usual. He wished them well in their future endeavours.

Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi was present on the occasion.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan congratulated the two kids of Odisha for their bravery.

“Congratulations to Mamata Dalai & Pankaj Mahanta on being conferred the #NationalBraveryAwards2017. Little did Mamata care for her own life when she fought a crocodile to save her sister nor did Pankaj who saved three women from drowning. Their indomitable courage inspires us all,” tweeted the Chief Minister.

“Salute the exemplary courage displayed by all the 18 awardees #nationalbraveryawards .Little Mamta Dalai & Pankaj Mahanta from Odisha have shown that courage is a state of mind & not a matter of physique or age.India is proud of these fearless bravehearts,” tweeted Pradhan.