- President Murmu honours children with Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
- Veer Bal Diwas marks Sahibzades sacrifice and national inspiration
President Droupadi Murmu on Friday presented the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to 20 children from 18 states and union territories, recognising their outstanding achievements in fields such as art, culture, sports, and innovation. The awards were presented on the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas, observed every year on December 26, to honour courage, sacrifice, and patriotism.
Addressing the gathering, President Murmu congratulated the young awardees and their families. She said, “I extend my blessings to all the children. These young achievers have brought pride to their families and communities. I also congratulate their parents and family members for their support.” She noted that the achievements of the children reflected dedication, talent, and strong family encouragement.
President Murmu explained the importance of Veer Bal Diwas and its historical meaning. She said, “Do you know why we celebrate Veer Bal Diwas? There is a long and inspiring history behind it.” She said the day honours the courage and sacrifice of the Sahibzades, the sons of Sikhism’s tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. She also appreciated Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi and her team for organising the award ceremony for talented children from across the country.
Recalling history, the President said that around 320 years ago, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his four sons made supreme sacrifices for righteousness and faith. She said, “On this day, we especially remember his two younger sons, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh. Their courage continues to inspire generations, and their names are remembered with great respect in India and across the world.” She added, “I offer my respectful homage to the Sahibzades. Veer Bal Diwas is a day of remembrance and a celebration of patriotism, bravery, and national unity.”
President Murmu said the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar motivates young minds across the country. She said, “By presenting this award today, you have been encouraged. This recognition will inspire children across the nation to strive for excellence.” She also said she found the awardees extremely talented and noted that some recipients were as young as seven years old.
Meanwhile, 14 year old cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi, one of the awardees, was present in Delhi to receive the honour and therefore did not take part in his team’s Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Manipur. Another recipient, Shravan Singh from Ferozepur, was recognised for providing tea and breakfast to soldiers stationed at the border during Operation Sindoor.
Veer Bal Diwas commemorates the martyrdom of Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, and Sahibzada Fateh Singh. In 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that December 26 would be observed annually as Veer Bal Diwas.
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