Resisting societal pressure, 17-year-old Sunita Netam firmly refused to enter into wedlock before the legal age at Behradeh village in Gariaband district, official sources said today.
She was felicitated by state Tribal Welfare Minister Kedar Kashyap yesterday for showing courage against the social evil, they said.
On the occasion, Kashyap said Netam's decision will serve as an inspiration for others and called upon the society to focus on imparting education to girls.
He also announced that the government would take care of the teenager's future expenses on education and wedding, when she wants to marry.
Netam, who has studied upto Class IX, wants to study further and make a career in teaching.