BAL PURASKAR COMES WITH HUGE RESPONSIBILITY: PM MODI TO AWARDEES

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conferred digital certificates to Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) awardees for the years 2022 and 2021, using blockchain technology, via video conferencing.

The Prime Minister interacted with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar awardees virtually. He said the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) awards come with a huge responsibility adding that awardees should not take stress due to the expectations but rather draw inspiration.

“You have been given these awards when the country is celebrating 75 years of its Independence. Throughout your lifetime you can proudly say that when my country was celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, then I was conferred with this award. With this award, you have been given a huge responsibility. Now everyone’s expectations have also increased from you. You do not have to feel stressed by these expectations but draw inspiration instead,” Modi said.

Recalling his visit to Nowshera in Jammu and Kashmir during Diwali last year, the Prime Minister said that he met soldiers, Baldev Singh and Basant Singh who supported the armed forces at a very young age in the war immediately after Independence. “They played the role of young soldiers. Without caring for their life, at a very young age supported the Army,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also said that in memory of the sacrifice made by Sahibza

das for the country, we observe ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ on December 26 every year.

He also urged everyone including the youth to read about Veer Sahibzadas.

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is given as recognition to children residing in India, above the age of 5 years and not exceeding 18 years (as on 31 August of respective year) with exceptional abilities and outstanding achievement in 6 fields of innovation, scholastic achievements, sports, arts and culture, social service and bravery, which deserve recognition.

“This year, 29 children from across the country, under different categories of Bal Shakti Puraskar, have been selected for PMRBP-2022. The awardees also take part in the Republic Day parade every year. Each awardee of PMRBP is given a medal, a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a certificate. The cash prize will be transferred to the respective accounts of PMRBP 2022 winners,” said the PMO.

These awards are conferred by President Ram Nath Kovind in a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The Prime Minister also interacts with the awardees every year. The children along with their parents and district magistrates concerned would join the event from their district headquarters.