BENGALURU: Chiranth D R (14) showed exceptional courage and saved the lives of many children after the bus they were travelling in fell into a pond in Shikaripura in Shivamogga District on November 24. Most children had panicked and were struggling to get out of the bus. Thanks to his presence of mind Chiranth, a ninth standard student, broke the glass and pulled children out of the bus.
Chiranth, son of Rangaswamy D R of Amatekoppa, was among the brave boys and a girl who were presented with Bravery Awards from the State Government on the occasion of Children’s Day on Monday.
It was a memorable occasion for Shreyas N Rao and Shashikumar GM, 10th standard students of a private school in Mysuru. Both friends and classmates received the bravery awards for saving the lives of students stuck in a school bus that had caught fire.
On June 6 when Shreyas, Shashikumar and 70 others were on their way to school when the bus accidentally caught fire. Shreyas and Shashikumar managed to open the emergency exit and pulled many children out of the bus.
A bravery award was also presented to 9th Standard student Nithin H A of Arameri village in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu for saving a boy who had fallen into a pond while playing football. When children were playing football on October 17, one of them Sufiyan accidentally fell into a pond. Nithin got into the pond and lifted Sufiyan and saved his life.
The Department of Women and Child Development confers bravery awards to children every year. Minister for Women and Child Welfare Umashree presented the awards on Monday. The award carries a cash prize of `10,000, a memento, citation and a medal. “These children have exhibited exceptional courage and presence of mind to save the life of others in dangerous circumstances,’’ she said.
Mother receives award for girl who saved 3 lives
A bravery award was conferred posthumously to 15-year-old Sukanya of Bagepalli, who sacrificed her life to save a girl who had fallen into a lake. On November 28 last year, Sukanya was returning from school when she saw a girl struggling to come out of a lake. Sukanya immediately jumped into the water and ensured that the girl came out safely. Unfortunately, she herself could not come out as she got stuck in the silt and was drowning. When two other girls were about to jump into the lake to save her, Sukanya asked them not to get into water as none of them will be able to get out. She saved the girl who was drowning and also stopped others from getting into the water. On Monday, her mother received the award on her behalf.