The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : They are nonchalanat about their acts of courage

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 15, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

They are nonchalanat about their acts of courage

Staff Reporter

Seven children presented with bravery awards

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Proud moment: Children who received bravery awards at a function organised as part of Children’s Day in Bangalore on Wednesday.

BANGALORE: Seven kids smartly turned out children sporting big smiles and gold medals posed for the scores of photographers who clicked away furiously. Brought together by their extraordinary acts of courage, these youngsters were the most sought-after by reporters and officials alike on Children’s Day on Wednesday.

At a function organised by the State Government at the Bal Bhavan here, they were the cynosure of all eyes at the function attended by new Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and Governor Rameshwar Thakur, who gave them their certificates and medals. It is another matter that some were too young to realise the distinguished company they were in. The Hindu spoke to a few awardees after the function.

Five-year-old P. Shreyas looked away distractedly when asked questions. Clearly was more interested in opening the colourful box with animal cartoons printed on its cover and see what treasures it held. After much coaxing, he dismissed his award-winning act by simply saying his friend was falling off the parapet wall and he held on to him.

“That’s why they gave me award,” he said.

Ask him how he on earth he managed to hold on to a four-year-old with his tiny arms, the kurta-clad Shreyas said: “I just did. I held on to him for may be two minutes and then someone came and pulled him.” He then started to look longingly at the gift again and you knew you were not going to get anything more out of him.

Gagan and Bhumika, six-year-old twins, helped save a baby from right below two fighting bulls even as a crowd simply looked on at the Madivala market.

Noticeably tired of narrating their story over and over again to strangers, both Gagan and Bhumika simply held onto their certificates.

Finally, after gentle cajoling, Bhumika started to speak: “My papa asked us to stay in the car. We were eating groundnuts when I saw people standing and shouting. I said to Gagan, come Gagan we will go see what it is. When I saw little baby, I said to Gagan, come we will take the baby.”

Gagan chipped in: “I took the baby and put it in a safe place. It was in the car till the baby’s mother came and took it away.”

Asked if he was not afraid of the bulls, he shook his head nonchalantly.

Flanked by his proud parents, 16-year-old R.G. Ashwin politely asked whether he could respond to the questions in Kannada.

He then proceeded to narrate how his friend was kidnapped in broad daylight by some people and he himself was beaten up and thrown into a gutter, of how he noted down the number of the getaway vehicle, an autorickshaw, and called the police.

“I am very happy with the award and hope such awards can enthuse other children into being brave,” he said smiling.

Sainath Habalkar, the 10-year-old from Nanjangud, was in the middle of narrating his story to a group of people. “My brother Sagar was calling, ‘Help me help me’. The first time I tried to pull him out of the tank, I couldn’t. Then second time I was able to pull him out,” he said.

Just as he was being bombarded with more questions, Sainath was bundled away by officials who wanted him to complete some formalities.

As the hours passed by and the inquisitive crowd around them melted away, these children, wearing their valour so lightly, then gladly turned their attention to the dances and songs performed on the occasion.

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