Odisha boy Abinash Mishra gets National Bravery Award

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
New Delhi, Jan 24:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today conferred National Bravery Award-2015 on 25 bravehearts, including Odisha’s Abinash Mishra, at a function held in New Delhi.

The Odisha boy was awarded for his extraordinary act of bravery. The 12-year-old had fearlessly jumped into the Kushabhadra river to save a friend.

This year, twenty-five children – three girls and 22 boys – ware awarded, including two posthumously, from across the country for their extraordinary acts of bravery.

“While presenting the National Bravery Awards to my young friends, my mind was full of pride & admiration for these children & their grit. I salute all the young children awarded. Their bravery gave a new life to others,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.

Earlier on Friday, the braves from across the country met President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

It may be mentioned that Abinash Mishra of Dhirapur village under Nimapara police station limits in Puri district was selected for this award for rescuing a boy Bidhubhusan from Kushabhadra river.

He noticed Bidhubhusan slipping further into the deep water. Abinash jumped into the river and with much courage and skill dragged Bidhubhusan out of the deep water and swam to the shore.

The National Bravery Award recepients will also participate in the Republic Day parade.

The scheme of National Awards to children for Bravery was started 58 years ago in 1957. The main objective of the scheme is to give due recognition to the children who perform acts of bravery with a view to inspire other children to follow their example.