26 Jan: Remember These Young Bravehearts

By R.K. Sinha

Every year, as January approaches, the preparations for Republic Day reach their peak in the country. In the capital city of Delhi, the preparations for Republic Day are on a grand scale, surpassing other places because the Republic Day parade takes place in Delhi. A notable part of this parade includes the young bravehearts who are honored by the nation for their courage, intelligence, and bravery. As they salute the President and proceed ahead, the crowd along the Rajpath welcomes them with cheers. The participation of these young bravehearts in the Republic Day parade dates back to 1959, and they were initially part of the parade riding on elephants. However, this tradition was discontinued after opposition from Maneka Gandhi.

Ten days before the Republic Day parade, these young bravehearts arrive in the capital for the parade rehearsal. Apart from this, they also meet important personalities like the President, Prime Minister, Defense Minister, Chief Minister of Delhi, and heads of the Air Force, Navy, and Army at different times. Sometimes, they explore historical monuments like Lal Qila, Purana Qila, Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, and other places of interest like the Fun and Food Village. These young achievers used to receive numerous gifts from the founder of Fun and Food Village, along with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's associate Sardar Sardar Seva Singh.

Even before Republic Day, these young bravehearts remain in the news, giving interviews and then gradually fading into obscurity. This situation should not be considered ideal. Efforts should be made to provide them with better educational opportunities, especially considering that they often come from economically disadvantaged families in remote areas. They represent the unsung heroes of the nation, and their dedication deserves consistent encouragement.

Since 2018, the Ministry of Child Development in the Indian government has been responsible for selecting these children. Besides the National Bravery Awards, children are now being recognized in various categories such as sports, entertainment, scientific research, and more.

It's important to recall that the first National Bravery Award was conferred upon Harish Mehra, a young boy, in 1959. Despite the passage of many years, the data on these young bravehearts is scarce, indicating a lack of planning and support for their future after being honored on Republic Day. The stories of Harish Mehra and Fakirchand Gupta, who saved lives in critical situations, underline the need for a change in the way we acknowledge and support these young heroes.

The current situation is regrettable, and steps must be taken to rectify it, ensuring that these young achievers receive adequate plans and support after being honored on Republic Day."