Hubballi: She saved her four-year-old brother from being electrocuted. Seeing him come in contact with a live wire while playing in an under-construction building, she pulled him back towards her forcefully with his shirt, saving his life.
Looking forward to receiving the National Bravery Award from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 23 for her efforts, 14-year old Siya Khode, a class VII student at the Sri Jagadguru Gangadhar High School in Hubballi, is also getting ready to create awareness among teenagers about presence of mind and the courage to come to the rescue of those in dangerous situations. Her future agenda includes visiting schools in the twin cities of Huballi-Dharwad to educate children about ways to save lives.
Although having no training herself, she showed great presence of mind by not only pulling her little brother towards her using his shirt, but also being careful not to come in contact with his body as this could have been fatal for her too. Aware of the danger involved, she risked her life to save him as there was no adult around to turn to for help at the time. Her parents, who arrived a little later, rushed her brother to a nearby hospital and got him help on time.
“I am very happy to receive the bravery award from the Prime Minister in the presence of President Pranab Mukherjee. I want to dedicate this award to all children in Hubballi-Dharwad,” said Siya, who dreams of joining the Indian Army one day. “This award is great source of encouragement to serve the nation,” she explained. Siya, who is already in Delhi, is undergoing training for the Republic Day parade and other cultural programmes along with 24 other children, who will be presented with the bravery awards instituted by the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW).
“We are not just relieved that our children were saved from electrocution, but are also proud as we never expected our daughter to get such a prestigious award. I will do everything I can to help her realise her dream of joining the Indian Army,” said her father, Vaman Khode.
