Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conferred the National Bravery Award ahead of the Republic Day to Jammu and Kashmir's Payal Devi posthumously, acknowledging her act of valour.
Payal Devi, who was a class 8th student of Government Middle School Ramban, is the only child from Jammu and Kashmir to be awarded posthumously.
Payal lost her life in an unsuccessful bid to save her 6-year-old niece Shivali and a 14-year-old boy Rakesh Kumar on seeing them being washed away in the turbulent Ladhwal nallah near her house following a cloud burst on May 12, 2016.
She has left behind three sisters and two brothers.
Both her father and brother who work as private labourers received her award in Delhi From the Prime Minister.
Payal's family members felt honoured that at last her act of bravery was recognised by the Government.