Bravery award 2011 winners honoured
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 17 2012: Master Kshetrimayum Rakesh and Master Johnson Tourangbam, who are recipients of the National Children's Bravery Award 2011, were honoured today by Manipur State Council for Child Welfare, Moirangkhom Bazar in recognition of their acts of valour in saving/trying to save the lives of others.

The Council organised a reception function at Hotel Imphal for 15-year-olds Rakesh and Johnson, who had received the national award from the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at a special event in New delhi earlier in January 23 during which both were awarded Rs 20,000 each and certificates.

Son of Ksh Dhanajit of Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai, Rakesh displayed exemplary courage in trying to save two young boys who were about to drown at the Singjamei Thong section of the Imphal River on November 7, 2010 .

Children's Bravery Award winners Ksh Rakesh and T Johny

Spotting the siblings struggling, Rakesh jumped into the water and managed to pull to safety one of the brothers namely Huidrom Nimbus s/o H Ranbir of Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai.

However, the other brother H Kelly could not be saved, recounted Rakesh at the reception programme.

The other national bravery award recipient Johnson, who hails from Kwakeithel Laishram Leikai and is the son of Tourangbam Thambou, was also honoured by the prime Minister for a similar audacious act when he managed to save one of the two brothers in Jiribam sub-division on March 3, 2011 .

It is said that brothers Tourangbam Chaorel and Johny went to bathe in the Jiri river but were instead found struggling to overcome the torrent.

Sensing that the boys were in trouble, Johnson dived into the river and succeeded in saving Chaorel, while Johny's corpse was fished out from the said river some days later.

Johny went to Jiribam with family elders to attend a religious ceremony, informed the young braveheart.

Apart from the monetary award and certificates, winners of National Child Bravery Award are provided free education under the sponsorship of the Dalmiya Company with the option to chose a professional course such as doctor or engineering when they attain the right age.

The reception ceremony was held with former director of the Council S Saratkumar Sarma, its president H Babudhan Sarma and general secretary Y Sarat Singh as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Gifts were presented to both the national awardees at the occasion.