Veer Bal Diwas:
- The Government of India observes Veer Baal Diwas on December 26 every year in remembrance of the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh ji’s sons Sahibzada Zorawar Singh ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh ji.
- The objective is to honour the bravery of the two young heroes of the country, and help inculcate the spirit of exemplary courage and sacrifice in the youth of today.
- Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, the two youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, were bricked alive and martyred at Sirhind (present-day Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab) on December 26, 1704 for refusing to abandon their faith under coercion.
- The martyrdom of the Sahibzadas stands as a lasting symbol of faith, courage and moral strength for the country.
- The day is observed with prayers and keertans in Gurudwaras to honour and commemorate their bravery.
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP):
- The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) is a prestigious national-level award conferred annually by the Hon’ble President of India to recognise exceptional achievements of children (below 18 years) across multiple fields.
- The award honours young achievers in six categories: Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art & Culture, and Science & Technology.
- It aims to celebrate, encourage and inspire children by acknowledging their outstanding contributions at the national level in diverse spheres. It also aims to inspire peers nationwide by showcasing real-life role models.
- By highlighting impactful efforts, the award promotes a culture of innovation, service, and perseverance.
- Through this initiative, the Government of India reinforces its commitment to child welfare, holistic development, and the nurturing of national pride among young achievers.
- The award is given to Indian citizens residing in India and between 5 and 18 years as on 31st July of the given year. The act, incident, or achievement for which they are being nominated should have occurred within two years prior to the last date of application.
- The selection is made by by the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) Committee, constituted by the Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Development and chaired by the Secretary, MWCD, with domain experts as members.
- Awards are conferred only on the Committee’s recommendation, based on the exceptional merit and societal impact of achievements, and are approved by the Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Development.
- A maximum of 25 awards are conferred annually. The PMRBP Committee can relax this limit in exceptional cases. Each award carries a Medal and a Certificate.
- The award is generally not conferred posthumously. However, in rare and highly deserving cases, the PMRBP Committee may consider a posthumous conferment.