New Delhi , 26 Dec : President Droupadi Murmu on Friday conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar on 20 children from 18 states and Union Territories, recognising their outstanding achievements in fields such as art, culture, sports, innovation and social service.
The ceremony took place in New Delhi on the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas.
Addressing the award recipients, the President congratulated the children and their families for their dedication and support. She said the achievements of these young minds had brought pride not only to their households but also to their communities and the nation at large.
President Murmu highlighted the importance of December 26 and explained that India observes Veer Bal Diwas every year to honour the courage and sacrifice of the Sahibzades, the sons of Sikhism’s tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
She recalled that over three centuries ago, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his four sons made immense sacrifices in defence of righteousness and faith.
In particular, she paid tribute to Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, whose bravery continues to inspire people in India and across the world.
Describing Veer Bal Diwas as a symbol of patriotism and unity, the President offered her respectful homage to the Sahibzades and urged citizens to remember their legacy of courage.
President Murmu emphasised that the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar serves as a powerful source of motivation for young people. She said the recognition encourages children to pursue excellence and contribute positively to society.
Sharing her interactions with the awardees, she noted that many of the recipients displayed remarkable talent at a very young age, with some being as young as seven years old.
Notable Awardees and Their Achievements
Among the awardees was 14-year-old cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who travelled to Delhi to receive the honour and missed his team’s Vijay Hazare Trophy match as a result.
Another recipient, Shravan Singh from Ferozepur, received recognition for his selfless service in providing refreshments to soldiers posted at the border during Operation Sindoor.
Veer Bal Diwas was formally announced in 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate the martyrdom of Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh.
