His presence of mind that saved six of his friends and himself from an accident brought teenaged Vivek Siddharth Jha of Chattisgarh's Ambikapur the state bravery award 2008.
12-year-old Jha was amongst five children selected to receive the award from the State Governor on Republic Day.
Officials of Women and Child welfare Department told PTI that, on December 13 last year, when Vivek was returning home along with his six friends in a taxi from the school, the accelerator wire of the taxi got trapped.
As a result the taxi driver could not control the vehicle. As there was a 'U' turn and an electric pole ahead, both the taxi driver and the children were horrified. Suddenly, Vivek asked the driver to apply brake and simultaneously turn the steering. He also asked his friends to tightly hold on something tightly.
This resulted the overturning of the vehicle, but it was saved from falling in the nullah near the 'U' turn as well as from hitting the electric pole. For this act, Vivek has been selected to receive the award.
Officials said that the story of 12-year-old Saumya Shrivas of Rajim was tragic as well as brave.
On last June when Saumya was moving with her parents in their motor bike, a speeding truck hit the bike near a junction killing her mother at the spot where as Soumya and her father got trapped in the truck wheels. The truck driver instead of stopping, speed up the vehicle.
They were dragged there for about one and a half kilometre till people followed the vehicle hearing the cry of Saumya. For her sheer grit that the little girl could raise alarm even when trapped in the wheels of a moving truck, she was selected for the bravery award.
Similarly Supreet Kaur Saluja, who despite having broken her arm after the car in which she along with her family was travelling fell into a gorge came out and brought people to their rescue, is another awardee.
Other children named to receive the award include Rohini Sahu, who saved a 16-month-old from drowning and 14-year-old Amit Kumar Patel, who saved his friends from the clutches of a mad dog.
All these children will be getting cash worth Rs 10,000 each, medal and certificates at the hand of Governor ESL Narasimhan on Republic Day.
Officials said that the story of 12-year-old Saumya Shrivas of Rajim was tragic as well as brave.
On last June when Saumya was moving with her parents in their motor bike, a speeding truck hit the bike near a junction killing her mother at the spot where as Soumya and her father got trapped in the truck wheels. The truck driver instead of stopping, speed up the vehicle.
They were dragged there for about one and a half kilometre till people followed the vehicle hearing the cry of Saumya. For her sheer grit that the little girl could raise alarm even when trapped in the wheels of a moving truck, she was selected for the bravery award.
Similarly Supreet Kaur Saluja, who despite having broken her arm after the car in which she along with her family was travelling fell into a gorge came out and brought people to their rescue, is another awardee.
Other children named to receive the award include Rohini Sahu, who saved a 16-month-old from drowning and 14-year-old Amit Kumar Patel, who saved his friends from the clutches of a mad dog.
All these children will be getting cash worth Rs 10,000 each, medal and certificates at the hand of Governor ESL Narasimhan on Republic Day.