President meets bravery award winning children

New Delhi, Jan 22 : President Pranab Mukherjee Thursday met the 24 children who would be conferred this year's National Bravery Award, Rashtrapati Bhavan said. The awardees from across the country will also participate in the Republic Day parade. The bravery awards were initiated by the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) to give due recognition to children who have performed an outstanding deed of bravery and meritorious service to inspire other children. The awardees are invited to Delhi and are presented the award by the prime minister on the eve of Republic Day. It was in 1957 that two children - a boy and a girl - were first awarded for their presence of mind and courage. Since then, the ICCW decided to confer national awards on children every year.