Punjab boy who served soldiers during Operation Sindoor honoured by President

Chandigarh: Shavan Singh, a 10-year-old boy from Punjab who grabbed headlines for assisting soldiers during the tense cross-border skirmishes of Operation Sindoor, was conferred with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu on Friday.

Shavan, a resident of Mamdot village in the border district of Ferozepur, was recognised for his courage and service. While Indian troops were deployed to counter Pakistani forces, the young boy ensured they received steady supplies of tea, water, milk, and ‘lassi’ from his home. He was among 20 children honoured in New Delhi for exceptional achievements across various fields including bravery, social service, and sports.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann lauded the achievement on X, stating it was a moment of great pride for the state. " By following the teachings given by our Gurus, the service rendered by Shavan Singh during Operation Sindoor by bringing tea, water, and food from home for the soldiers is commendable. Salute to the child’s courage and zeal towards the country," Mann wrote.

Congratulations also poured in from across the political spectrum. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar praised the boy’s courage, noting that the sons of Punjab have a history of making sacrifices for the nation. Similarly, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring extended his heartiest congratulations, calling the award a matter of "immense pride" for the state. Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma also hailed the recognition as a proud moment for the country.

The boy’s service took place against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7. The Indian armed forces carried out pre-dawn missile strikes targeting Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba strongholds in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The operation was a retaliatory measure following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.

(Inputs from PTI)