Odia Girl Banita Dash Conferred Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

New Delhi: Odia girl Banita Dash has made her State proud by getting the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar.

She has received the award for her exceptional achievement in Innovation.

Banita, who hails from Nabarangpur district, is a young astrophysicist having keen interest in asteroids.

She has been recognized as a Citizen Scientist by NASA and IASC. She has designed an automated sanitizing school bag which has been recognized at National Level. Besides, she has an interest in Pattachitra which is a traditional art-form from her State.

As many as 29 children have been conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar this Year, selected from all regions of the country for their exceptional achievements in Innovation, Social Service, Scholastic, Sports, Art & Culture and Bravery categories. There are 15 Boys and 14 Girls among the awardees belonging to 21 States and UTs.

In view of the unprecedented circumstances emerging due to COVID-19 situation in the country, it was not possible to organise a physical ceremony at New Delhi. In order to felicitate and motivate the exceptional works of children, a function was held virtually on the occasion of National Girl Child Day today and also as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

The Awardees of PMRBP 2021 and 2022 along with their parents and concerned District Magistrate of their respective district joined the event from their district Head Quarters.

During the function, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave digital certificates to the 61 winners of PMRBP 2021 and 2022 using a Block Chain-driven technology developed by IIT Kanpur under the National Blockchain Project.

The digital certificates are stored on digital wallets installed on the mobile devices of the recipients. The digital certificates issued using the blockchain driven technology are unforgeable, globally verifiable, selectively disclosable and sensitive to user content. Block Chain Technology is being used for the first time for giving certificates to the awardees.

The Prime Minister interacted virtually with the winners of PMRBP 2022. Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Zubin Irani and Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai, Minister of State were among those present on the occasion.