The three from West Bengal are among the 21 brave children who will be awarded for their bravery before January 26
The three from West Bengal are among the 21 brave children who will be awarded for their bravery before January 26
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Bravehearts:Sunita Mahato, Rekha Kalindi andu00a0Afsana Khatun during
a press in New Delhi on Monday. PIC/RAJEEV TYAGI
They triggered a revolution
Eleven-year-old Rekha Kalandi and Sunita Mahato and 12-year-old Afsana Khatn worked as labourers while studying under the National Child Labour Project (NCLP). But about a year ago, their parents wanted them to get married and even arranged for their dowry. But the girls protested and with the help of their classmates and NCLP teachers forced their parents to change their decision.
"I was working in a bidi factory. Around October 2008 my parents told me they have fixed my marriage and an amount of Rs 30,000 had been settled for as my dowry. As a student I was aware of the ill-effects of child marriage and the human rights of a child. I protested against the marriage proposal. When my parents refused to listen to me, I took the help of my classmates and teachers. They tried to convince my parents. After much convincing, they agreed and also allowed me to pursue my schooling," said Sunita Mahato.
Rekha and Afsana too faced similar situations and won against all odds.
After the first step, news of the incident spread like fire and since then many girls have raised their voice against child marriage and for education. According to statistics available with the NCPL, 35 similar cases of bravery have been recorded and officials at the organisation say there are many more unrecorded cases.
Teenage herou00a0
Even though 13-year-old Gaurav Singh Saini from Haryana lost his sister and a cousin in the stampede at the Naina Devi temple on August 3, 2008, he is happy he could save 50 to 60 others in the accident. He is being awarded the coveted Bharat Award on Republic Day.
Recalling the fateful day, Saini said he had gone to the temple with his parents when they suddenly heard there had been a landslide. Panic-stricken, people started running helter-skelter, thus causing a stampede.
"My first reaction was not to run but help those who were stuck in the stampede. There were people all around, falling on top of each other and feeling claustrophobic.
I looked around and saw a wire and jumped onto it. Seeing me, people held out their hands and I pulled them up and made them hold on to the wire. Soon I had gathered about 60 people on the wire and slowly we lowered ourselves down to a tin roof and slid down to safety," said Saini, who wants to join the Indian Army so that he can save many more lives.
Similar stories of bravery by children, some of whom lost their lives while trying to save others, were narrated as 21 names were announced on Monday ahead of the Republic Day for the National Bravery Awards 2009.
Brave at 10
In the list is 10-year-old Maibam Prity Devi, who is the recipient of the Geeta Chopra Award. This Class V student from Manipur saved several lives when she picked up a grenade hurled at her family-owned grocery shop by miscreants.
"I was with my mother in the grocery shop when a grenade was hurled at us. It landed near the gas cylinder. I was shocked but immediately raised an alarm that it was a bomb. Not waiting for any reaction, I immediately picked it up and threw it some distance away," said Devi.
The grenade exploded, injuring a few people, including Devi, but she was glad she could save many lives.
"I had splinters in both my knees," she said, pointing at her legs and adding, "I hope I can become a police officer some day."
Two of the 21 awards will be given posthumously. Both the children, Ranu Mishra, 10, and Deepak Kumar Kori, 12, drowned while trying to save others.
The children will be given their awards by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh prior to the Republic Day, after which they will participate in the parade. President Pratibha Patil will host a reception in their honour. They will also receive a certificate, a medal and cash prize.
From saving lives of around 60 devotee during the landslide at Naina Devi temple to education revolution in Purulia district by three minor girls and a 10-year-old girl, who saved several lives risking her life by throwing live grenade outside her shop during a grenade attack in Imphal are among the 21 children who will receive National Bravery Awards for 2009.
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