President Murmu awards Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to 17 children for excellence

President Droupadi Murmu awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to 17 children for their achievements in various fields, including art, sports, and innovation. The awards recognize exceptional courage and talent, with honorees from 14 states and Union territories. Among the recipients was Keya Hatkar, a 14-year-old author and disability advocate, and Ayaan Sajad, a 12-year-old Sufi singer. The awards also honored acts of bravery, such as Saurav Kumar, who saved three girls from drowning, and Ioanna Thapa, who rescued residents from a fire. The ceremony coincided with 'Veer Bal Diwas,' honoring the sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh's sons. President Murmu emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent and expressed hope for the future contributions of these awardees to India's progress.