Thu Dec 26 07:18:31 UTC 2024: ## 17 Children Awarded Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar

**New Delhi, [Date]:** President Droupadi Murmu presented the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar to 17 children at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday. The awards, recognizing exceptional achievements in various fields, were given to seven boys and ten girls representing 14 states and union territories. The seven categories included art and culture, bravery, innovation, science and technology, social work, sports, and environment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the Veer Bal Divas program at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi today. He will launch the “Suposhit Panchayat Yojana” and flag off a march past. Approximately 3,500 children, including the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar winners, will attend.

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar, established in 1996 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, recognizes children aged 5 to 18 who are Indian citizens and reside in India. The award includes a medal, certificate, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. In 2023, 11 children received the award. The addition of a science and technology category brings the total number of categories to seven.

Separately, Tamil Nadu’s education minister, Anbil Mahesh Poyamozhi, stated that the state will not adhere to the central government’s decision to discontinue automatic promotion for students in classes 5-8, citing concerns for children from underprivileged backgrounds.

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