Purnima Giri, and her sister Sabita Giri from Odisha’s Kendrapada district, have been nominated to get the Indian Council for Child Welfare’s (ICCW) prestigious National Bravery Award 2019 for saving the lives of many people from drowning during a tragic boat capsize incident that took place in Nipania village, earlier this year.
The ICCW has written two letters to the duo, informing them of their selection for the National Bravery Awards 2019. The award will be presented in January 2020 at an event in Delhi. The organization has invited them to attend the award ceremony.
On the ill-fated day (2nd January 2019) of the boat capsize incident, Purnima and Sabita had heard the desperate screams of the people who were victims of the tragedy. Despite the severity of the cold and the numbingly-chilled water, the sisters jumped into the river to save the children and some adults. In all, the two of them managed to save the lives of ten people who were there in that boat which had overturned.
On January 5th, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik felicitated the duo for showing such courage in spite of adversities. On receiving the news of the duo being officially recognized by the ICCW, Patnaik took to Twitter to congratulate the duo again, terming their courage an “inspiration” for others.