For the 22 children chosen for this year's National Bravery Awards, courage is a way of life.
Whether it is Babita (17) and Amarjeet (15), who saved several people from drowning, or 13-year-old Congress Kanwar, who called the police when her family forced her to marry, the stories speak of tremendous courage and will.
For Kanwar, it was a fight for her dignity and right to education. Her father, as per the community tradition, wanted to get her married when she was only 13 years old.
She cannot forget October 14, 2006 -- the day when her family was finalising a proposal for her. She called the police to escape the forced marriage.
"I had seen the fate of my three elder sisters who had been married off early, and I did not want this to happen to me," she said.
"The wedding guests were having dinner when I informed the police. When the guests left, I was beaten up by my father and relatives and was locked in a room," she said.
Her virtual isolation ended when her teacher was able to persuade her family that she should be allowed to continue her studies.
The youngest among the brave hearts, Yuktarth Srivastava saved his 11-month-old sister from being bitten by stray dogs. He was attacked by the animals, but unmindful of his injuries, Yuktarth held on to his sister and saved her life.
{{/usCountry}}The youngest among the brave hearts, Yuktarth Srivastava saved his 11-month-old sister from being bitten by stray dogs. He was attacked by the animals, but unmindful of his injuries, Yuktarth held on to his sister and saved her life.
{{/usCountry}}Asked whether he was scared, the young boy from Chhattisgarh studying in class II, said, "Yes, I was, but I had to save my sister anyway".