National Girl Child Day: 29 children conferred Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

NEW DELHI: Twenty-nine children have been conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar this year, selected from all regions of the country for their exceptional achievements in Innovation (7), Social Service (4), Scholastic (1), Sports (8), Art & Culture (6) and Bravery (3) categories. There are 15 boys and 14 girls among the awardees belonging to 21 States and Union Territories.

In order to felicitate and motivate the exceptional works of children,a function was held virtually on the occasion of National Girl Child Day on Monday and also as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The awardees of PMRBP 2021 and 2022 along with their parents and District Magistrate of their respective districts joined the event from their district headquarters.

During the function, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave digital certificates to the 61 winners of PMRBP 2021 and 2022 using a Block Chain-driven technology developed by IIT Kanpur under the National Blockchain Project. The digital certificates are stored on digital wallets installed on the mobile devices of the recipients. The digital certificates issued using the blockchain driven technology are unforgeable, globally verifiable, selectively disclosable and sensitive to user content. Block Chain Technology is being used for the first time for giving certificates to the awardees. The cash prize of Rs.1,00,000 was given to the awardees of PMRBP 2022 which was transferred online to the respective accounts of winners during the programme by the Prime Minister.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister noted that these awards become all the more significant in the light of the fact that they have been conferred during the important period when the country is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. He said this is the time to draw energy from the past and dedicate oneself to achieving great results in the coming 25 years of the Amritkaal. He also greeted the daughters of the country on National Girl Child Day. The Prime Minister remembered the glorious history of the Freedom Struggle and the contribution of Kanaklata Barua, Khudiram Bose and Rani Gaidinilu. "These fighters had made the country's freedom the mission of their lives at a very young age and had dedicated themselves for it," the Prime Minister noted.

The Prime Minister said that in areas where daughters were not even allowed earlier, daughters are doing wonders in them today. This is the new India, which does not hold back from innovating, courage and determination are the hallmarks of India today.

The Prime Minister said that the children of India have shown their modern and scientific thinking in the vaccination programme as well. Since January 3, in just 20 days, more than 40 million children have got the corona vaccine. He also lauded them for their leadership in the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan. The Prime Minister appealed to them to be an ambassador for Vocal for Local and lead the campaign of Aatmnirbhar Bharat.

The Prime Minister interacted virtually with the winners of PMRBP 2022. Interacting with Master Avi Sharma of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister enquired about the secret of his prolific output with regard to various aspects of the Ramayana. Master Avi Sharma said that he got the inspiration by the decision of broadcasting the serial Ramayana during the lockdown. Avi also recited some couplets from his creation. Interacting with Kumari Remona Evette Pereira from Karnataka, the Prime Minister discussed her passion for Indian Dance. He enquired about the difficulties she faced in pursuing her passion. Interacting with Kumari Puhabi Chakraborti of Tripura, the Prime Minister enquired about her COVID related innovation. She also informed the Prime Minister about her fitness app for sportspersons. (PIB)

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