Eight children from South India among bravery award winners

Eight children from the southern part of the country, including six from Kerala and two from Telangana, are among the 25 National Bravery Award winners this year.

The winners will receive the award, a medal, a certificate and cash prize from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence on January 24.

The award recipients will also participate in the Republic Day parade on January 26.

One of the six winners from Kerala is Aromal SM (12), who saved two children from drowning in a 14-feet pond. Aromal has been honoured with the Bapu Gaidhani Award.

Another winner from Kerala is Nithin Philip Mathew (13), who braved fire to save his neighbour’s family after their house caught fire in a cylinder blast.

Beedhovan (14), who saved a boy from electrocution, is also another winner from Kerala.

Other winners from the State are Anandu Dileep (14), Abhijith KV (15) and Muhammad Shamnad (14) who saved people from drowning.

The winners from Telangana are eight-year-old Shivampet Ruchitha and 14-year-old Sai Krishna Akhil Kilambi. Ruchitha, who is the youngest of all the 25 award winners, is the recipient of the prestigious Geeta Chopra Award. She managed to save two children on her school bus when a train hit their vehicle.

Sai Krishna, who also displayed exemplary courage and presence of mind, managed to save his maid from getting electrocuted inside their house.