Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) awardees via video conference. 

As many as 29 children have been conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar this year. They were selected for their exceptional achievements in Innovation (7), Social Service (4), Scholastic (1), Sports (8), Art & Culture (6) and Bravery (3) categories. There are 15 boys and 14 girls among the awardees belonging to 21 states and UTs.

The Bal Puraskar recipients were awarded certificates digitally using blockchain technology. Each child was also given a medal and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

• The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is instituted to felicitate meritorious children, individuals and institutions of the country. These awards are given under two categories — Bal Shakti Puraskar and Bal Kalyan Puraskar.

Bal Shakti Puraskar

• The National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement was instituted in 1996 to give recognition to children with exceptional abilities and outstanding achievements in the fields of innovation, scholastic, sports, social service, arts & culture and sports. 

• In 2018, the award was renamed as Bal Shakti Puraskar and achievements of children in the field of bravery are also acknowledged.

• The award carries a medal, a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, book vouchers worth Rs 10,000, a certificate and a citation.

• The awards are conferred before January 26, to ensure that children get to participate in the Republic Day Parade.

Bal Kalyan Puraskar

• The National Child Welfare Awards were instituted in 1979 to give recognition to those who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of child development, child protection and child welfare. 

• In 2018, the award was renamed as Bal Kalyan Puraskar. 

• This award is given in two categories — Individual and Institution. 

• The award for an individual consists of a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, a medal, a citation and a certificate to each awardee.

• The award for institution consists of a prize of Rs 5 lakh each and a medal, a citation and a certificate.

• Three awards are given in each of these two categories along with cash prizes.

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