Odisha: Rs 1 lakh cash award for National Bravery Award winners

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced Rs 1 lakh cash award to children winning National Bravery Award on Republic Day every year. He also felicitated the two young children from Odisha who were recently conferred with the National Bravery Awards 2017 and congratulated them for their feat.

At an event organised at the State Secretariat, Patnaik announced a cash award of Rs 1 lakh to each of the awardees, Mamata Dalai (6) from Kendrapara district and Pankaj Kumar Mahanta (14) from Keonjhar district. Expressing his delight, Patnaik said, “From now onwards, whichever children get a bravery award at the national level, they will be given Rs 1 lakh individually.”

Naveen interacted with the kids for around 15 minutes and asked them about studies and hobbies. He facilitated them with silver filigree memento and flower bouquet and wished them a bright future.

“I am so happy after meeting the chief minister. I want to become a doctor and will serve people,” said Mamata, a six-year-eight-month-old girl. The girl from Bankual village within Bhitarkanika National Park of Kendrapada displayed extraordinary courage and saved the life of a seven-year-old Asanti Dalai from the jaws of a salt-water crocodile in her village pond on April 6, 2017. Mamata received National Bravery Award for 2017 from the president of India Ramnath Kovind.

Naveen also wished a bright future for Pankan Mahanto from Keonjhar district who saved three women from drowning in Baitarani river. The 14-year-old boy had pulled them one by one from the river and gave them new lives risking in his own life in the deep gorge.

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