NEW DELHI: Fearing being traced, Gunjan’s abductor fled early next morning leaving the brave girl on her own to find way back home. She walked for an hour and reached a hut and was brought home safely by police.
Gunjan was not alone but 23 other children were Friday honoured with the National Bravery Award 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for displaying rare grit and determination. The other awardees included a survivor of violent acid attack, two brave hearts who took on thieves and dacoits, a 10-year-old boy fighting a leopard to save his little sister, a seven-year-old girl saving her infant brother from raging fire in the house. Four of them sacrificed their lives while successfully saving lives of others.
The bravery awards this time brought to limelight the maladies plaguing the society like increased acid attacks and threats of open defection. Most of the awards went to children for saving people from drowning. The 24 children—eight girls and 16 boys—are between the age of seven and 17 and will drive through Rajpath in decked-up jeeps waving at all dignitaries, including US President Barrack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, at the Republic Day Parade on January 26.
The tales of valour and wisdom of these children can leave anyone in awe. Resham Fatma, 16, from Uttar Pradesh fearlessly fought her tormentor; in this case her own 38-year-old maternal Uncle Riaz Ahmed, as he forced her into a car at knife-point while she was on her way to attend her coaching class. He threatened her with dire consequences if she declined his marriage proposal but when she did not give in to his demands, her uncle started pouring acid on her head. Although she tried to defend herself for the next 15 minutes, her efforts proved futile.
Gathering all her strength, Resham pushed him and jumped out of the car. An auto-rickshaw that was passing by, stopped and she got into it and went to a police station. She received the ‘Bharat Award’ for bravery. The incident has left her head, face and thighs affected by the acid attack. She also lost her hair on the right side of the head permanently and keeps her head covered by a scarf.
But 15-year-old Riya Chaudhary from Uttar Pradesh did not live to see her award. On March 10 last year, Riya was preparing for her exam, when she suddenly heard some commotion from outside. She saw her parents and uncle surrounded by some armed miscreants and all of a sudden, they started firing. Seeing them targeting her father, she rushed ahead and stood in front of him and took the bullet on her chest. Undeterred, Riya continued to shield her father and died on the spot but managed to save life of her father. She was awarded ‘Bapu Gaidhani Award’ for displaying heroic courage.
Setting an example for many children with his gallant act, 16-year-old Devesh Kumar from Uttar Pradesh took on thieves and in the process got shot and almost lost his life. On the morning of May 15, 2014, Devesh had gone to drop his father at his school as soon as he reached there, he heard the Principal of the girls’ school shouting for help. On being informed that thieves had snatched her gold chain, Devesh chased the miscreants and confronted them. He kicked the bike-rider and pillion rider shot Devesh in the waist and both of them fled. He underwent a life saving operation and was awarded ‘Sanjay Chopra Award’ for his valorous act.
The northeast witnessed maximum number of eight bravery awards in 2014. On November 8, 2013, 13-year-old Rumoh Meto from Arunachal Pradesh was helping his parents in the fields when he noticed 32-year-old Milu Mega stuck to a 33 KV high voltage line. Hearing his cries, Rumoh jumped upon the victim to get rid of the live wire but was thrown off by the electric current. Determined to save his life, Rumoh once again pushed him forcefully and succeeded in the second attempt. In the process, both of them were violently thrown away by the raging current. He was awarded ‘Bapu Gaidhani Award’ for his heroic courage.
The deed of each of the award winning children tells a tale of unmatched valour shown by them in the most difficult situation. Like in case of seven-year-old Ripa Das from Tripura, who saved life of her one-year-old brother from raging fire in her house while her parents ran outside leaving kids behind. On April 24, 2014, when a major fire broke out in the tea stall in front of Ripa’s house, she along with her brother was resting. When she looked out, fire was raging and her mother and grandmother were running outside. Ripa held her brother tightly in her arms and came out of the flames safely.
The highest number of 12 awards went to children, including three posthumously, who saved others from drowning: it is the second largest cause for explained unnatural deaths in India. Monika, 16, from Uttarakhand was washing clothes on the bank of the Alaknanda river with her two younger sisters. Suddenly, 10-year-old Sahil, a neighbour, slipped in 7-8 feet deep water and started drowning. Seeing this, Monika without caring for her life, immediately jumped into the river. Catching hold of Sahil’s hair, she brought him towards the river bank safely. As the river was in full spate, Monika could not save herself and drowned. She was awarded ‘Bapu Gaidhani Award’.
The National Bravery Award was initiated by the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) to give due recognition to the children who distinguish themselves by performing outstanding deeds of bravery and meritorious service. Since the inception in 1957, 895 children—634 boys and 261 girls—have been awarded.