Bravery award winners felicitated

Winners of the National Bravery Award from the State for the years 2015 to 2017 were felicitated by Inspector General of Police (Administration) P. Vijayan at a function organised by the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare here on Wednesday.

The national award winners included Aromal S.M. of Thiruvananthapuram, Anandu Dilip of Kottayam, Mohammed Shamnad of Kozhikode, Beethoven of Thiruvananthapuram, and Nithin Philip Mathew of Kottayam, all winners in 2015; Badrunisa K.P. of Palakkad, Binil Manjali of Ernakkulam, Adithyan M.P. Pillai of Pathanamthitta, winner in 2016; and Sebastian Vincent of Alappuzha, the 2017 winner. Akhil K. Shibu was represented by his father Shibu K., while Abhijith K.V. of Kannur could not make it to the event.

Giving away the awards, Mr. Vijayan said he was proud to have got the opportunity to honour brave children who had rushed to save lives of others without sparing a thought for their own. Referring to heroes in movies who were depicted as fearless, he said these children, in rescuing people from drowning or being mowed down by a train, or breaking down a door to remove a burning gas cylinder, had shown that they were the real heroes.

‘‘All children should be inspired by being in the company of these brave heroes. They have shown that bravery is not something to be read in books or humanity is not something to be preached,’’ he said.

He said there was no bigger humanity than recognising that someone else's life was more important than of their own. ‘‘These children are a model for all,’’ he said.

He, however, cautioned the children in the audience not to be hasty in jumping into danger.

He urged them to use to the extent possible whatever they learnt from experiences such as taking part in the council's camp. ‘‘Be aware of the problems of others. Even small things matter, be it helping children and the elderly on buses or sharing food with those hungry."

Meeting the award winners was the best possible thing they could take away, he told the children.

Council general secretary Deepak S.P. said the council in consultation with the government would consider giving away State bravery awards. Kerala State Commission for Child Rights member M.P. Antony and council office-bearers were present.