Bears, Floods and Heroism: Amit Shah, CM Dhami Honor 6 Brave Kids
Six children in Uttarakhand received the inaugural State Child Bravery Award for heroic acts, including rescuing peers from bears and floods.
In a stirring ceremony at the Parade Ground in Dehradun, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami celebrated the extraordinary courage of the state's youngest heroes. Six children were conferred with the inaugural State Child Bravery Award, recognizing their selfless actions and presence of mind during life-threatening emergencies.
The award, instituted by the Department of Women Empowerment and Child Development for the 2026–27 financial year, aims to honor children who display exceptional valor. Each of the six recipients was presented with a medal and a citation, along with a cash prize of Rs 51,000, which was transferred directly to their bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Facing the Wild: The Chamoli Trio
The most dramatic accounts of bravery came from the Chamoli district, where three students turned a school day into a rescue mission. On December 22, 2025, a bear invaded the premises of GIC UPS Harishankar, targeting Aarav Singh, a Class 6 student.
- Aarav Singh: Honored for his courage in fighting back to defend himself during the attack.
- Divya: A Class 8 student who courageously chased the bear away to rescue Aarav and helped him return safely to the school building.
- Deepika: Acted with lightning speed to usher nine other students into a Class 7 classroom, ensuring they were safe from the predator.
Battling the Elements: Rescues from Water and Debris
Beyond the encounter with wildlife, other children risked their lives against the volatile nature of the Himalayan terrain.
The River Rescue in Champawat
Maya, from the Champawat district, was recognized for her daring act on August 5, 2025. Amidst heavy rainfall and surging river currents, a young girl was swept away by the water. Maya jumped into the swift current without a second thought, pulling the girl to safety. Despite sustaining injuries during the struggle, Maya's bravery prevented a fatal tragedy.
The Cloudburst Alert in Dehradun
Aaradhya of Dehradun district showed remarkable alertness during a cloudburst on June 2, 2026. As water and debris rushed toward her home, Aaradhya immediately alerted 17 family members, allowing them to evacuate just in time. In a further act of heroism, she managed to rescue a three-year-old girl from the fast-flowing water.
A Split-Second Save in Tehri Garhwal
In Tehri Garhwal, Shweta was honored for her quick reflexes on January 30, 2025. While an elderly man using a walking stick was crossing the road, a speeding vehicle approached from the opposite direction. Shweta grabbed the man's hand and pulled him to the side of the road in a split second, saving him from a potentially fatal accident.
Inspiring the Next Generation
The Chief Minister’s State Child Bravery Award is designed not only to reward these specific acts of valor but to inspire other children across Uttarakhand to act with responsibility, sensitivity, and courage during crises.
The event also coincided with the Uttarakhand Rajyotsav (State Foundation Day) celebrations. Before the awards, CM Dhami welcomed Union Minister Amit Shah with mementoes representing the state's rich heritage, including a traditional Uttarakhandi cap, a shawl, a Gangajali containing sacred Ganga water, and an emblem of the Samudra Manthan.