PM presents National Bravery Awards to 17 children

The PM asked the children to stand up to tell the truth and be prepared to face the consequences.

Seeking to boost the morale of children, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday presented 17 National Bravery Awards asking them to stand up to tell the truth and be prepared to face the consequences.

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"Bravery has several meanings. It is not confined only to fighting bad people. It does not only mean saving someone's life. But bravery is telling the truth whatever be the consequences," he said in a thought-provoking address while honouring them at his residence.

For the brave young hearts, it was a rare opportunity to share few moments with the Prime Minister. UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and HRD Minister Arjun Singh were also present on the occasion.

Singh said that bravery meant standing firm on one's legs. "Every honest child is brave. Every hard working child is brave. Every child who shows the path to others is also brave", he told the children amidst repeated applause from the young audience.

He asked the children to chart out the future of the country whose edifice has been built by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and many others who fought for freedom.

"Therefore, be brave, constructive and hard working", he said and advised them to refrain from doing wrong things.

Among the 17 winners of the prestigious award, five are girls. Of the winners, 13-year-old Shibu T is getting the honour posthumously.