Bringing in laurels

The Women and Child Welfare department in the state recently released the list of awardees who are selected for National awards in academic excellence, achievement in sports and bravery. From the State, the department selected 28 children for their academic excellence, seven students for bravery and 38 students from government children homes for scoring more than 60 per cent in SSLC and PU exams for various awards. The children will get Rs. 25,000 and a citation.City Express, on Children’s Day, congratulates all awardees for their individual achievements and profiles four city-based children.A brave feat Thirteen-year-old S S Madhu is a class VIII student of St Anne’s School in Rajaji Nagar and at first look, an unlikely candidate for a bravery award. But this boy saved the life of his mother, younger brother and grandmother on one fateful day; displaying courage and strength that defied his age and physical size.In March 2011, the family decided to take a vacation and planned a trip to Chunchigatle in  Mysore district, said his father S T Shekar.While playing on the banks of Cauvery, it was difficult to not resist an innocent dip. Amid all that laughter, suddenly the mother, grandmother and the brother were drowning in a surge of water while the father, who did not know swimming, watched haplessly. But, Madhu, who was then learning swimming, jumped into the water and caught his mother's hair and his brother’s hand and pulled them out. While the father tended to them, he jumped in again to rescue his grandmother.“My boy was fearless. He sprung into action and saved their lives. In fact, we did not apply for the award. The head of the village panchayat heard about his act and applied for it,” his proud father said.Ask Madhu about his reactions, and his reply showed that he has already moved on. “I want to study well and grow up to become a mechanical engineer,” he said. His mother S K Arthy, who works as a Government school teacher and his father is a fashion designer.— as told to Gourab Kalita                                                                      A leg in every sportHis list of achievement reads: Taekwondo, lawn-tennis, skating and tabla among other things. No, we are not talking about some 35-year-old achiever but an 8-year-old Ajay Sri Shetty. This class III student of Kendriya Vidyalaya in Yeshwantpur wears these multiple caps with ease. He was four years old when he developed an interest in skating, after watching his father, who loved sports. He went on to get several medals in skating including a gold at a state-level competition.   “His mother died two years back. I did not want my son to stagnate in grief and ask too many questions. It was to engage him that I initially encouraged him to involve himself in sports,” says his father S P Shetty, an online trader.With an early start to the day (as early as 6.30 am), he leaves for his various training sessions. His evening is devoted to his music, wherein his teacher comes home to train him.  Ajay has won an international medal in Taekwondo and has won several regional level events. But, now Ajay is more interested in Lawn Tennis, says his father.     “I want to excel in all sports and at the same time concentrate on academics. I want to join the NDA and serve the nation when I grow up,"  says Ajay. — as told to Jaishree KrishnaConsistent academic laurelsFrom Montessori to class VII, she has got only above 90 per cent in all subjects. She also has got several international scores to her credit — for example she scored 96 per cent in Abacus. She also secured 20th rank in National Maths Talent exam in 2005 and 3rd rank in Science Olympiad in the same year.                                Thirteen-year-old Vaishnavi M R of class VIII in Sri Vani High School, Rajaji Nagar, has been so consistent in her top-notch academic performances that her school applied for this award in 2005. Even though there was a delay of four years, the reward is still sweet for the teachers and parents of Vaishnavi.Her mother Bhargavi is a science teacher and her father Ramanuja is a flautist. This might be a reason for her interests being divided between the two — academics and music.  For, Vaishnavi wants to become a teacher later in life but on a parallel track she hopes her training in vocal music and violin will add more depth to her interests.— as told to Palash Saikia