PM honours 23 children with bravery awards

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi during bravery award function

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday honoured 23 children, including two posthumously, with Bravery Awards and said such acts of courage were a source of inspiration to everybody.

"The whole country is proud of you and has high hopes from you. I have no hesitation in saying that with such brave children, the future of this country is secure," Mr Singh said, while conferring the award here on Saturday.

Referring to the awards given posthumously to two children, he conveyed to their relatives that their acts would not go waste.

"Their sacrifice will become an example of bravery which will give strength to others to emulate," he told the children in the presence of

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, women and child development minister Krishna Tirath and the Prime Minister's wife Gursharan Kaur were among those present on the occasion.

Mr Singh made a special mention of a girl from West Bengal, who stood up against the atrocities being committed by her community.

The Prime Minister also lauded the efforts of Indian Council of Child Welfare for its work.

This year, the prestigious 'Geeta Chopra Award' has been conferred on 14-year-old Kumari Jismi P M of Kerala, who displayed outstanding courage by saving two children from drowning.

The 'Sanjay Chopra award' has been conferred on 11-year-old Master Priyanshu Joshi of Uttarakhand who saved his sister from a leopard.

The children will participate in the Republic Day parade.