An Indian SOS child wins most prestigious award for children

Master Vinod Kumar, a child from SOS Children's Village Bangalore, was honoured by the President of India, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, for outstanding skills shown in the field of creative performing arts, on 21 April 2005 at Rashtrapati Bhawan (President's House) in New Delhi. Vinod was among the select band of 22 children qualified for the prestigious National Bal Shree Awards which is instituted by the government owned institution, National Bal Bhavan. Later Vinod was felicitated by his SOS family at the SOS Hermann Gmeiner School in Faridabad on 22 April 2005.

National Bal Shree Honour Scheme selects the best children dispersed in different parts of the country through a three-tier selection process including a psychological test for assessing the creative ability of the child in the fields of creative performing arts, creative arts, creative writing and creative scientific innovations.

"This selection, I am sure, will definitely enable the early recognition and nurturing of our children in multi-dimensional creative activities which is vital for promoting the growth of the youth," President Kalam said.

It was emotions and unusual fervour which was on display amidst splendour of the Ashoka Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhawan where children with full of pride of their deeds and dreams in the eyes watching the event. The children were enlightened by a wise talk from the President, a known child aficionado, as how 'creativity enriches human life'.

While eagerly waiting for his moment of glory, twelve year old Vinod with his SOS mother and school teacher seemed on cloud nine along with other awardees selected from across the country. Hogging the limelight with India's first citizen and 141 previous winners, it was really a memorable day in the life of Vinod and the whole Indian SOS Children's Village family.

In the SOS Hermann Gmeiner School in Faridabad, SOS Children's Villages India has organised a felicitation ceremony to honour the child prodigy on 22 April. The siblings of Vinod presented him with a special greeting card and the President of SOS Children's Villages India while commending the feat given him a 'watch' as special gift.

As a three-year old toddler Vinod was brought to the SOS Children's Village in Bangalore and handed over to Mother Premaleela in 1994. His talent in acting and mimicry was spotted early and while studying in 'Mountain View School' Bangalore that he was put into the rigour of selection process of Bal Shree Honour scheme. He passed all the levels of the test with flying colours. Besides this special award he was among the proud team of creative children those participated in a cultural exchange programme in Mauritius (from 27 March to 3 April 2005) which was also organised by Bal Bhavan.

Certainly, this award is a real McCoy for the child! - All the best, Vinod!