Patiala- Every year on 26 December, dedicated to the martyrdom of the sons of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Government of India gives bravery awards to honor the children and youth of the country and to inculcate the spirit and habit of helping the victims in the students. Under which children from 6 years to 18 years and youth from 18 years to 24 years are honored as brave children of the country.
The National Child Welfare Council has invited applications from brave children and youth through the Deputy Commissioners of the districts till October 5. Children or youth who have tried to save any trapped child, youth, elderly, citizen from dying, suffering, drowning, fire, gas, being trapped in a mine or from any dangerous animal, cattle, bird, snake or human between 1 July 2024 and 30 September 2025.
Principals of educational institutions should make students aware about these bravery awards and from time to time special training camps should be organized to train students in disaster management, first aid, fire safety, rescuing victims, CPR so that they can be prepared as helping angels of the victims. In this regard, retired training supervisor of Indian Red Cross Society, Shri Kaka Ram Verma said that earlier these awards were given on 26th January.
He said that in order to save precious lives, disaster management, civil defense, first aid, CPR, fire safety, care of the injured, students should be trained to instill confidence, courage and to help the victims during crisis/emergency and they should be prepared as helping angels. Because in times of crisis, only those students, citizens will come forward to help the victims who will not have any kind of fear or panic and training exercises and mock drills only boost the morale of the students.
Just as in case of fire or gas leakage, unaware people run out of their houses and factories, but firemen enter houses and factories to extinguish the fire. After investigation by the principals and teachers of educational institutions, it is necessary to send the applications of brave students with recommendation to the District Education Officer or Deputy Commissioner or Secretary of District Red Cross Society by 5 October. In which it is necessary to write full details of the incident, name of the rescued child or youth, name of the citizen, complete address.
Therefore, it is also necessary to attach written information from the family of the rescued child or youth or after his death with the application. If the victim was taken to the hospital, then a certified copy received from the doctor. If the news of this incident has been published in newspapers, then their certified photocopies must also be sent along. Children or youth who have shown courage to stand against social evils or crimes can also send applications for this honor.
Along with this honor, each child or youth will be given Rs 1,00,000/- cash, Dhruva Award, Markande, Shravan, Prahlad and Eklavya Award by the National Child Protection Council or the government. Abhimanyu Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 75,000/- and General Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 40,000/-, a gold or silver medal and a citation.
We request the principals of educational institutions, students associated with NSS, NCC, Scout Guide, Junior and Youth Red Cross, teachers, Nehru Yuvak Seva youths to take training in disaster management, civil defence, first aid, fire safety, CPR, recovery position, ventilator, artificial respiration, rescue transport of injured and be ready to help the victims in any emergency, natural or man-made disaster, domestic or on roads, fields, parks, playgrounds, educational institutions. Students receiving such awards get more respect than others in higher education and jobs as well.
Therefore, students should be made aware from time to time in educational institutions. It is also necessary to inform students, teachers, players and coaches about the awards received by India, Punjab and international organizations in school/college/university magazines.