Nikhat Fatima, TwoCircles.net
On 26th January, the 71st Republic Day, the Indian Council of Child Welfare (ICCW) conferred 22 children from across the country with the National Bravery Award. Among the recipients are 12 boys and 10 girls from 12 different states who have been honored for their gallantry in humanity and community service.
During heavy rains in Maharashtra in August 2019, river Krishna got heavily flooded submerging houses and bridges, quickly spreading the fury into nearby regions flowing through Raichur district in Karnataka. An ambulance carrying a dead body and relatives of the deceased, including 6 children was headed to Machanuru village of Yadgir district where water had clogged everywhere blocking the roadway of Gugal.
“At the time I did not think of what would happen next, when the driver asked me if I could help, I volunteered,” said 12-years-old Venkatesh, one of the recipients of the prestigious national honour. Coming from the small village of Raichur, he explained how he managed to be the odd one to help the ambulance driver stuck in floods when his friends clearly advised him against it.
Seeing the driver’s predicament, little Venkatesh unhesitatingly dived into the waters to reach the ambulance and guided the driver alone while he himself was wading with much difficulty navigating the way. Without his knowledge, explained Venkatesh, some boys across the river from another village filmed the rescue mission on their mobile phones and in no time Venkatesh’s act of courage became viral. The video got spread across various social media and television channels making Venkatesh the hero from Hireyakumpi.
Soon after he was honoured by the district administration at Raichur on Independence Day on August 15th with the “Shourya Award” while an IAS officer recommended the Women and Child Welfare department to send Venkatesh’s name for the ICCW National Bravery Awards.
“This deed of Venkatesh has brought fame not only to our school but also to our village,” said the Head Mistress of the Government Higher Primary School of Hireyakumpi village within the Deodurga Taluk in Raichur District of which Venkatesh is a student.
The little braveheart has been since then winning praises from several other organizations and individuals who have felicitated him with awards like the Kozikhode Helping Hands Trust of Kerala, Raichur Friends Association and several others.
“I am extremely happy that my son did such a brave act,” said Venkatesh’s father Devendrappa, expressing his happiness and said that it was because of his son that he got the opportunity to go to Delhi and see the President of India. He also wanted to meet Narendra Modi but the Prime Minister was unavailable as he had been informed.
Back home although he is proud of his youngest son’s achievement, Devendrappa has highlighted their ongoing plight due to the flooded situation in the villages. He said that Venkatesh’s story of bravery had reached many as several TV anchors and journalists, organisations and individuals have come forward to help them in different ways. “The people of Kerala are building a house for us,” he said, adding that he was thankful to them that the work had already begun. However, the father said he expected, ”Government of Karnataka to do something for his son but it is always other organizations and individuals who are offering to educate and provide a good job for my son.”
While they continue to be plagued by the fury of floods and broken houses, vibrant Venkatesh is now encouraged by the Award and wishes to become a pilot and fly helicopters when he grows up. On asking why, the young braveheart says, “From the helicopter I want to rescue more people who are caught in floods.”
