Kendrapara: Once again, a Dalit boy, Situ Mallick, 15, has made Kendrapara district as well as the state proud by winning the prestigious Indian Council for Child Welfare’s (ICCW) National Bravery Award-2018. The award would be presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Situ for saving his 28-year-old uncle’s life February 20, 2018 on the Republic Day.
Situ, from Kandira village of Rajnagar block, will attend the Republic Day parade. The letter has come from ICCW to the District Child Protection Unit, Collector Dasarathi Satapathy said.
The presence of mind of Situ, a Class X student, saved the life of Binod Mallick. Binod had gone to guard harvested paddy with Situ. Binod went to relieve himself and after that he went to Daruora canal. While entering the canal, an estuarine crocodile pounced on the left hand of Binod and dragged him into the water.
Binod screamed for help. Situ, who was standing on the bank, came to his rescue. He switched on the torch, focussed the light on the eyes of the reptile and hit its head with a stick.
The crocodile fled leaving Binod. Situ dragged his injured uncle to the bank. Binod had injuries on his hand and thigh and was rushed to Rajnagar CHC. He was shifted to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar for advanced care.
“If my nephew had not been there, I might have died. I am glad that he is going to receive the ICCW National Bravery Award-2108 from the PM,” said Binod.
The ICCW congratulated Situ and asked him to come with one of his parents to New Delhi January 16, 2019. Complimentary railway passes for Situ and his escort will be arranged by ICCW.
The District Child Protection Officer went to Situ’s house Wednesday for handing over the ICCW’s welcome letter and to collect the required documents and photos of Situ and his escort, said Bijay Kumar Sahu, the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO).
Jitu Mallick, 21, the elder brother of Situ, is accompanying Situ to New Delhi as his parents cannot go with him. Former Collector Reghu G had recommended Situ’s name for the ICCW’s National Bravery Award.
Besides Situ Mallick, three more children from Odisha have won the ICCW’s National Bravery Award.
Jhili Bagh, 9, of Kendumunda in the Badabhainro panchayat of Tarabha block in Subarnapur district, won the ICCW’s National Bravery Award for saving her 3-year-old sister, who accidentally fell into a well near her house on June 16, 2018.
Biswajit Puhan, 11, of Icchapur village in the Balikuda tehsil of Jagatsinghpur district won the ICCW’s National Bravery Award for saving five-year-old Mamuni Biswal of Dihakarada village in Talada panchayat of Puri district from drowning in the Machgaon main canal on August 13, 2017.
Mamuni was playing on the canal’s bank with friends. Suddenly she slipped and fell into the canal. Seeing this, her friend shouted for help. Biswajit heard their screams and rushed to the spot. He jumped into the canal and dragged Mamuni to safety.
After rescuing the girl, Biswajit compressed her chest and drained out water from her belly. Mamuni was then rushed to Balikuda hospital and discharged after first aid.
Ranjita Majhi, 14, of Teri Bhejiguda village in the Thuamul Rampur block of Kalahandi district won the ICCW’s National Bravery Award by opposing her father’s decision to marry her off to a 40-year-old alcoholic in September 2017.
Ranjita, who was studying in Class 9 at the Government Kathghar Tribal Residential School in Thuamul Rampur block, opposed her father as he had arranged her marriage with an alcoholic of the village.
Ranjita’s father used to visit the school often and force his daughter to marry the man, who was one of his acquaintances. The man also visited the school many times and asked the girl to agree to the marriage.
During Dusserah vacation she requested the headmistress to allow her to stay back in the hostel as she did not want to get married and wanted to continue education.
PNN