Twenty children, selected for this years bravery awards, today had a lifetime experience at the Rashtrapati Bhavan with President Pranab Mukherjee interacting with them and posing for a photograph.
'Bharat Award', the highest of the National Bravery Awards, winner Resham Fatima from Uttar Pradesh was among those awardees who met Mukherjee.
The 16-year-old girl had fought her uncle and escaped while he was forcing her into a car and pouring acid over her head after she turned down his marriage proposal.
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She was kidnapped by her uncle when she was on her way to her coaching class.
The President met and spent time with the children listening to them besides posing with them for a photograph.
This year's Geeta Chopra award has been given to Gunjan Sharma from Assam. The Class VIII girl from Nazira in Sivasagar shot into national limelight after she volunteered to be taken away by kidnappers in exchange of 10 other school kids in the school bus.
The kidnappers had taken her away and released the other children. She, however, managed to flee from their captivity next morning.
16-year-old Devesh Kumar of Uttar Pradesh was selected for Sanjay Chopra award as he had displayed outstanding courage while confronting two chain-snatchers.
The scheme of National Awards for Bravery was started by Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) to give recognition to children who distinguish themselves by performing outstanding deeds of bravery and meritorious service and to inspire other children to emulate their example.
The winners have been invited to Delhi where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will present the awards on the eve of Republic Day. The children then take part in the Republic Day Parade.
Eight girls and 16 boys have been selected for this year's National Bravery Awards. Four of the awards have been given posthumously.
