Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development gave away theNational Child Award for Exceptional Achievement to 23 children on Children’s Day during the opening ceremony of Vatsalya Mela at Dilli Haat near INA market, today.
The awards are presented every year to the children between the age group 4-15 years for their exceptional achievements in various fields including academics, art, culture and sports etc. The awards were initiated in 1996. They include a Gold Medal with cash prize of Rs. 20, 000 and a citation, and 21 Silver Medals with cash prize Rs.10, 000 and citations.
Speaking at the occasion, Smt. Krishna Tirath said that the Vatsalya Melacelebrates Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru’s birth anniversary, which also marks the Children’s Day. She said that Pt. Nehru was passionate about the welfare, education and development of children in India. He envisaged that every child in India would get free and compulsory primary education and oversaw the construction of thousands of schools in the villages of India during his tenure as Prime Minister.
Smt. Tirath briefly explained the many schemes of the Ministry for the welfare and development of children, including the POCSO Act 2012 for safety and security of children below the age of 18 years from sexual offences.
The Gold Medal was presented to Master Harshal Shahi from Delhi for his exceptional achievement in the field of chess.
Out of 21 Silver Medal winners, 10 are girls. The names are as follows –
1. Kumari S. Harshitha Reddy from Andhra Pradesh for her exceptional achievement in the field of mathematics.
2. Master Dhanraj Sahariah from Assam for his exceptional achievement in the various fields like martial arts, dance, music, swimming and theatre.
3. Kumari M. Shraddha from Chandigarh for her exceptional achievement in the field of Hindustani classical music.
4. Kumari Anjali Yadav from Chattisgarh for her exceptional achievement in the various fields like yoga, taekwondo, painting and dancing.
5. Master Hardik Jay Prakash Nayar from Daman & Diu for his exceptional achievement in the field of academics.
6. Master A.A. Aravinda Lochanan from Delhi for his exceptional achievement in various fields like musical instrument (Violin), recitation, quiz etc.
7. Master Vaishnav Chinmay Surilbhai from Gujarat for his exceptional achievement in the field of academics and sports.
8. Kumari Harman Singh from Haryana for her exceptional achievement in the field of dance and culture.
9. Master Kushagra Rastogi from Himachal Pradesh for his exceptional achievement in the field of academics.
10. Kumari Kariha Javaid from Jammu and Kashmir for her exceptional achievement in the field of martial arts and academics.
11. Kumari Simpi Kumari from Jharkhand Kashmir for her exceptional achievement in the field of archery.
12. Kumari Pooja G. Prabhu from Karnataka for her exceptional achievement in the field of music.
13. Master Akshay V. A from Kerala for his exceptional achievement in the field of painting.
14. Master Usman Hanif Patel from Maharashtra for his exceptional achievement in the field of Technical Innovation.
15. Kumari Khagembam Binta Devi from Manipur for her exceptional achievement in the field of boxing.
16. Kumari Harsha Pattnaik from Odisha for her exceptional achievement in the field of literature.
17. Master Chirag Gupta from Punjab for his exceptional achievement in the field of sports.
18. Kumari Megha Gupta from Rajasthan for her exceptional achievement in various fields such as academics, sports, dance, skating, drawing, football and arts.
19. Kumari R. Ajeetha from Tamil Nadu for her exceptional achievement in the field of yoga.
20. Master Pranay Fartyal from Uttar Pradesh for his exceptional achievement in the field of academics.
21. Master Mitrabha Guha from West Bengal for his exceptional achievement in the field of chess.
The WCD Minister congratulated the winners saying that they have shown great promise at such a young age, and their dedication to their chosen field will serve as an example for others, children as well as adults, inspiring everyone to do the best they can. She stated that children are the foundation of the country and their achievements inspire others to excel.
Also present during the awards ceremony were Ms. Nita Chowdhury, Secretary, M/o WCD; Smt Preeti Sudan, Addl Secretary; and other senior officers from the Ministry, NCPCR, CARA, NIPCCD, CSWB, and NMEW.
