New Delhi, January 19
Five girls from a village in Haryana, who spoke against marriage of two minors, will receive National Bravery Awards for raising voice against social evils.
The awards would be conferred by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a special function here on January 24. Twenty six children, including nine girls, will get the bravery awards. Three children will be given award posthumously.
Neelam Rani, Sarita Tyagi, Sunita Devi Singhdoya, Swati Tyagi and Sushma Rani learnt that a local resident was marrying off his two minor daughters. They opposed the marriage despite being beaten. They approached the sarpanch and also informed the police.
Though their action drew criticism from the villagers initially, they started receiving laurels after the issue was highlighted in the local media. The girls staged street plays against social evils and run adult literacy programme for the village elders.
The Bharat Award has been given posthumously to 17-year-old C. Vanlahruaia of Mizoram who displayed extraordinary courage while fighting an armed robber.
Riyaz Ahmed (9) of Uttar Pradesh will be honoured with Sanjay Chopra Award. Riyaz lost his hands and one foot while trying to save a child from being run over by a train.
The Geeta Chopra Award will be given to nine-year-old Ramseena who saved a three-year-old child from being run over by a speeding car and lost her leg in the process.
