Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today 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."
After being felicitated, the duo was happy to have met the Chief Minister. Six-year-old Mamata said, “We were given money. CM said I am a good girl. I want to be a doctor and serve the people.”
A total of 18 children from across the country were honoured with the National Bravery Awards 2017 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 24 at a special function held in New Delhi.
Later, President Ram Nath Kovind hosted a reception for the awardees, who were also given a chance to participate in the Republic Day Parade on January 26.
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Reportedly, Mamata and Pankaj were awarded for their bravery to save lives of four persons in separate incidents. While Mamata had rescued her elder sister from a crocodile attack, Pankaj rescued three women from being swept away in a river.