Introduction

The Government of India observes Veer Baal Diwas on December 26 every year in remembrance of the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh ji’s sons Sahibzada Zorawar Singh ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh ji. The objective is to honour the bravery of the two young heroes of the country, and help inculcate the spirit of exemplary courage and sacrifice in the youth of today. 

Historical Context

Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, the two youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, were bricked alive and martyred at Sirhind (present-day Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab) on December 26, 1704 for refusing to abandon their faith under coercion.

The martyrdom of the Sahibzadas stands as a lasting symbol of faith, courage and moral strength for the country. It is a revered and cherished symbol of the heritage of the Sikh Gurus, their courage and dedication.  Even at such a tender age, the young heroes chose truth and dignity over fear, with unmatched bravery. Their sacrifice continues to inspire generations and occupies a central place in the nation's collective historical memory. The day is observed with prayers and keertans in Gurudwaras to honour and commemorate their bravery.

Objectives and Observance

Since its inception, Veer Bal Diwas has been observed throughout the nation to honour the bravery of the two young martyrs and make the youth of today aware about their sacrifice. Several programmes are organized, especially in schools across the nation. These include essay writing, quizzes, debates, storytelling sessions, art programmes, youth marches, and public tributes, cultural performances, and other youth-centric activities highlighting the day's participatory and inclusive nature. The events also feature tributes and speeches linking historical sacrifice to contemporary civic values. The event serves as a platform to showcase and the extraordinary talent, creativity, and achievements of India’s youth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi graces the occasion, reaffirming the importance of empowering children as the foundation of the nation’s bright future.

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP)

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) is a prestigious national-level award conferred annually by the Hon’ble President of India to recognise exceptional achievements of children (below 18 years) across multiple fields.

 

The award honours young achievers in six categories: Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art & Culture, and Science & Technology. It aims to celebrate, encourage and inspire children by acknowledging their outstanding contributions at the national level in diverse spheres. It also aims to inspire peers nationwide by showcasing real-life role models. By highlighting impactful efforts, the award promotes a culture of innovation, service, and perseverance. Through this initiative, the Government of India reinforces its commitment to child welfare, holistic development, and the nurturing of national pride among young achievers.

Eligibility Criteria

The award is given to Indian citizens residing in India and between 5 and 18 years as on 31^st July of the given year. The act, incident, or achievement for which they are being nominated should have occurred within two years prior to the last date of application

Nomination & Selection

The selection is made by by the PMRBP Committee, constituted by the Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Development and chaired by the Secretary, MWCD, with domain experts as members. Awards are conferred only on the Committee’s recommendation, based on the exceptional merit and societal impact of achievements, and are approved by the Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Development.

Number of Awards

A maximum of 25 awards are conferred annually. The PMRBP Committee can relax this limit in exceptional cases. Each award carries a Medal and a Certificate.

Posthumous Award

The award is generally not conferred posthumously. However, in rare and highly deserving cases, the PMRBP Committee may consider a posthumous conferment.

This year 20 children from 18 States and Union Territories have been selected for the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar. The awards were conferred by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, during a special ceremony held on 26 December 2025 at 10:00 AM at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

A national-level programme of Veer Bal Diwas 2025 was organised at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 26 December 2025. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the children and youth of India and underscored their role in nation-building. The programme highlighted stories of bravery, resilience, and selfless service, inspiring children and youth and reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment to nurturing empowered and responsible citizens in line with Viksit Bharat@2047.

School children, PMRBP awardees, and dignitaries from across the country attended the programme.

• Below is the list of PMRBP 2025 awardees, along with their achievements and award categories.

S. No.	Name & Place	Age	About the Awardees
Bravery
1	Vyoma Priya (Posthumous) Coimbatore, TN	9 years	Lost her young life while selflessly trying to save a six-year-old child during an electrical accident, displaying extraordinary courage beyond her years.
2	Kamlesh Kumar (Posthumous) Kaimur, Bihar	11 years	Gave up his life in a brave and instinctive attempt to rescue another child from drowning.
3	Muhammed Sidan P Palakkad, Kerala	11 years	Acted without fear to save two of his friends from electrocution, putting their lives above his own safety.
4	Ajay Raj Agra, UP	9 years	Showed remarkable fearlessness by saving his father from a crocodile attack near their village river.
Art and Culture
5	Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte Lunglei, Mizoram	9 years	Touched millions across the country with her heartfelt renditions of patriotic songs, inspiring national pride through her young voice.
6	Suman Sarkar Nadia, WB	16 years	A gifted tabla prodigy whose exceptional talent has earned him admiration and accolades on the global stage.
Environment
7	Pooja Barabanki, UP	17 years	Driven by concern for her surroundings, she created an innovative machine to reduce agricultural dust and air pollution.
Social Service
8	Shvan Singh Ferozepur, Punjab	10 years	Displayed rare courage during Operation Sindoor by carrying out dangerous supply runs to support frontline soldiers.
9	Vansh Tayal Chandigarh	17 years	Despite early hardships, he chose compassion over comfort and dedicated himself to the rehabilitation of children, including those with special needs.
Science and Technology
10	Aishi Prisha Borah Jorhat, Assam	14 years	Inspired by sustainability, she promotes eco-friendly practices such as natural farming and innovative mulching techniques.
11	Arnav Anupriya Maharshi Aurangabad, Maharashtra	17 years	A young divyang innovator who turned personal challenges into purpose by developing an AI-based rehabilitation tool for hand paralysis.
Sports
12	Shivani Hosuru Uppara Annamayya, Andhra Pradesh	17 years	A determined divyang para-athlete who has brought pride to the nation through her achievements in shot put and javelin.
13	Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Samastipur, Bihar	14 years	A cricket sensation whose record-breaking performances have made him the youngest IPL player and fastest Indian centurion in the league.
14	Yogita Mandavi Kondagaon, Chattisgarh	14 years	Rising from a naxal-affected region, she overcame immense challenges to become a national-level Khelo India judoka.
15	Vaka Lakshmi Pragnika Surat, Gujarat	7 years	A young chess prodigy who stunned the world by becoming Under-7 World Champion with a flawless 9/9 score.
16	Jyoti Sirsa, Haryana	17 years	An inspiring international para-athlete whose medal-winning performances reflect resilience, strength, and determination.
17	Anushka Kumari Ranchi, Jharkhand	14 years	One of only five girls from Jharkhand selected for the Indian Under-17 Women’s Football Team, known for her consistent goal-scoring ability.
18	Dhinidhi Desinghu Bengaluru, Karnataka	15 years	A promising swimmer who has made India proud on the global stage and became one of the youngest Indians to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
19	Jyoshna Sabar Gajapati, Odisha	16 years	A powerful young weightlifter who set a Youth Asian record and continues to bring international medals home for India.
20	Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti Medchal-Malkajgiri, Telangan	16 years	A fearless mountaineer who conquered the world’s highest peaks, becoming the youngest to complete the Seven Summits Challenge.

Conclusion

Veer Bal Diwas represents a significant national initiative to institutionalise the remembrance of the Sahibzadas’ martyrdom and to translate historical memory into a source of contemporary inspiration. Observed annually on December 26,the day reflects the Government of India’s emphasis on values-based education, youth engagement and the preservation of historical consciousness. Through coordinated national events and widespread school-level participation, Veer Bal Diwas has emerged as both a tribute and a forward-looking initiative aimed at nurturing courage, integrity and moral strength among future generations.

References

MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s371e09b16e21f7b6919bbfc43f6a5b2f0/uploads/2025/05/20250524679249072.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiasKqkktORAxU22TgGHS1AM3AQFnoECDMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2WRZpS6y96_70GdCW5sgZL

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://gurunanakcollege.edu.in/2024/1/2/The%2520Four%2520Sahibzadas%2520English.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwijttCq9MORAxWR7jgGHXK1FswQFnoECEUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2LbXKeZue50Pn425qve8aI

Amrit Kaal

https://amritkaal.nic.in/event-detail?183731

https://www.mygov.in/task/martyrdom-brave-sons-guru-govind-singh-ji-essay-contest/

PIB

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1990383&reg=3&lang=2

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1991884&reg=3&lang=2https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1881187&reg=3&lang=2

Click here for pdf file. 

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PIB Research

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