New Delhi, December 26: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar on children for their exceptional achievements in the fields of Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art & Culture and Science & Technology at a ceremony held here.
This year, 20 children from 18 States and Union Territories, including Jyoshna Sabar from Odisha, were selected for the honour for demonstrating outstanding achievements in diverse fields, including Bravery, sports and social service.
Jyoshna Sabar, a weightlifter from a remote village in tribal-dominated Gajapati district, has bagged several medals in national and international competitions, including a bronze medal in Asian Youth Junior Weightlifting Championship in Albania in 2023, and gold medals in Asian Junior Weightlifting Championship in New Delhi in 2024 and International Junior Weightlifting Championship in Peru in 2025, when she also set a record by lifting the heaviest weight in her category.
Hailing from a farmer’s family in Marlaba panchayat Rayagada block of Gajapati district, Jyoshna has been guided by K Ravi Kumar, a gold medallist weightlifter, Jagyan and M Alkesh Barwa.
Speaking on the occasion, the President congratulated the recipients of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar. She said that the award winning children have brought pride to their families, their communities, and the entire country.
The President said that about 320 years ago, Guru Gobind Singh Ji—the tenth Guru of the Sikh faith and revered by all Indians—and his four sons made supreme sacrifices while fighting in support of truth and justice. She said that the bravery of the two youngest Sahibzadas, is honoured and respected both in India and abroad. She remembered with reverence the great child heroes who laid down their lives with pride for truth and justice.
“It is because of talented children such as the seven-year-old Vaka Lakshmi Pragnika that India is considered a chess powerhouse on the world stage. Ajay Raj and Mohammed Sidan P, who saved the lives of others with their bravery and intelligence, deserve all the praise they receive. Nine-year-old daughter Vyoma Priya and eleven-year-old brave son Kamlesh Kumar lost their lives while saving the lives of others with their courage,” said the President.
The President said, “Ten-year-old Shravan Singh, amidst the risks associated with war during Operation Sindoor, regularly delivered water, milk, and lassi to the Indian soldiers stationed at the border near his home. Whereas, the differently-abled daughter Shivani Hosuru Uppara has achieved extraordinary accomplishments in the world of sports, overcoming economic and physical limitations.”
“Vaibhav Suryavanshi has made a name for himself in the highly competitive and talent-filled world of cricket and has set many records. She expressed confidence that brave and talented children like them will continue to do good work and make India's future bright,” said the President.
