SATYAM MAHENDRA KHANDEKAR, 7
He wants to become a scientist like President A P J Abdul Kalam. Satyam, who studies in Class II in Mumbai, loves reading books on science. The son of a college professor, he has also memorised several English poems and will rattle them off on request. Cricket is his favourite game and he loves swimming. In fact, it was his skill as a swimmer that helped him save a boy his own age on May 6.
"We had gone to the club," he recalls. "I was relaxing near the pool when I saw a boy drowning. His parents were also there but they did not notice he was in trouble. He was screaming for help but nobody heard him because they were playing and shouting. Looking at his face, I realised he was drowning. I jumped into the pool and caught his hand and helped him to the edge of the pool. That was when the swimming coach noticed us and came to my aid. We helped the boy out of the pool. A police case was lodged. It was the policeman who recommended my name for the award."
Satyam Mahendra Khandekar was honoured with the National Bravery Award.