Imphal, February 14, 2010: National Children's Bravery Award winners namely Maibam Prity Devi and Thoithoi Khumanthem were accorded a warm welcome at a reception programme hosted by manipur State Council for Child Welfare, Moirangkhom at Hotel Imphal today.

Presentation of token gifts marked the reception programme during which gallant acts of the two award winners from the State were read out.

The 11-year old Prity, who is the daughter of M Sharat of Mayang Imphal mamang Leikai in Imphal West district, was nominated for the prestigious award for her alertness and valiant act of throwing away a hand-grenade from inside her family's shop located at mayang Imphal bazar.

On january 30, 2009 Maibam Prity was at the shop when at about 7.30 pm unidentified persons lobbed a grenade inside.

As the bomb rolled into the shop followed by her mother's alarm of the item being an explosive device, Prity rather than opting for her own safety picked up the grenade and threw it away.

Even though the grenade exploded outside the shop and caused minor injuries to eight persons, including Prity, the then Class V student of Nilamani English School prevented possible collateral damage and human casualty had the blast occurred inside the shop.

Thoithoi, the other brave girl was only seven years old when she saved her three year old cousin (uncle's son) brother Michael from drowning at the family's pond in haoreibi Makha Leikai.

Recounting the incident, Thoithoi said fear never crept into her mind on seeing the boy struggling in the water.

"Thinking, no matter whether I die or not, I have to save him," the brave young girl told media persons.

The youngest among the award winners this year, Thoithoi's father kh Tomba Singh is scientist working in Manipur Pollution Control Board.

She is currently a Class II student of Brilliant Public School.

Interacting with the media Tomba affirmed that he would contribute all his mite in her daughter's aspiration to become a doctor, like her mother.

Speaking at the reception programme, Director of Social Welfare Department, S Sharat kumar Sharma describing the National Children's Bravery Award as a prestigious award, desired that acts of valour of children from the hill areas should be brought into the limelight.

Stating that there is lack of application from the hill districts for nomination for the award, the Director opined that lack of awareness might be the main factor for the brave children of the hills not getting the deserved recognition.

Besides calling upon the media to create awareness and more focus on the bravery award and its procedures on application et al, Sharat Kumar also presented cash award of Rs 5000 to each of the award winners.

He also announced that scholarship amount of Rs 720 each would be provided to the children.

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