Two Boys From Odisha Win Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

New Delhi: Naisargik Lenka and Ayushman Tripathy from Odisha were among the 26 children, who received Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2019 from President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Tuesday.

The revamped award scheme of the Women and Child Development Ministry, is now being given in two categories. The Bal Shakti Puraskar, which was earlier known as National Child Award, under various fields such as innovation, social service, scholastic, sports, art and culture — and bravery, latest addition to the scheme.

Naisargik and Ayushman were conferred with the award for excellence in field of innovation and scholastics respectively.

The 16-year-old Naisargik received the award for his innovative solution for remediation of contaminated soil and water using an optimized strain (Anabaena cylindrical) immobilized in polymer matrix, which will not only prevent the entry of the carcinogen into the food chain through rice crop but also increases the grain yield.

Each award carries a medal, a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000, book vouchers worth Rs 10,000, a certificate and a citation.

The 26 children will participate in the Republic Day Parade on January 26.

Apart from them, two individuals and three Institutions were awarded in the category of Bal Kalyan Puraskar, which was earlier known as National Child Welfare Award. The award for individuals consists of a cash prize of Rs 1, 00,000, a medal, a citation and a certificate for each, while that for the institutions carries a cash prize of Rs 5,00,000, a medal, a citation and a certificate for each.

Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi, Secretary, WCD, Rakesh Srivastava and other senior officers of the ministry, along with a large group of children living in Child Care Institutions of Delhi, attended the function.

A total of 900 applications had been received for the awards through a special portal created for the purpose. The winners were selected after a critical analysis by a committee comprising experts from varied fields such as sociology, psychology, mathematics, science, art, music and sports. The National Selection Committee, under WCD Minister Maneka Gandhi, took the final call.