Uttarakhand Braveheart for National Bravery Award

ALLinDOON

Staff Reporter

Thu Jan 19, 2012, 13:30 IST

Five kids out of 24 will be posthumously awarded the National Bravery Award this Republic Day. 15-year-old Kapil Singh Negi, who made the supreme sacrifice while saving his schoolmates from flood fury in Uttarakhand, is among the five children to get the National Bravery Awards posthumously this year.


The Indian Council for Child Welfare announced the names of the 24 brave hearts on Wednesday. At the press conference, where the names were announced, choked with emotion, Kapil's father Birendra Singh Negi said, "At this moment, I am filled with pride. I have never felt like this before."


Kapil had on September 8, lost his life while trying to save the life of schoolmates after his school in Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand was flooded after heavy rains. Initially, classmate Subodh helped Kapil, but due to a landslide stones began to roll from above and Subodh also had to step aside. However, Kapil continued his rescue act as he carried school kids on his back to safety, before becoming a casualty himself.


Another boy Yadav who hails from Uttar Pradesh, is an awardee for saving his classmates from a burning school van.  Yadav's face is still scarred with the burn marks he had suffered during his courageous ordeal. “However, I had to leave that school as no one liked me there because of my burns,” says the brave heart. “I am glad and proud that I saved those lives, but when I was in the hospital with a swollen face due to the burns, I felt bad for myself,” said the eleven year old.


Kapil and 23 other kids who saved their loved ones and even strangers in the face of all odds in their hour of need displaying exemplary and inspiring acts of courage will be honoured by the President this Republic Day.