Two young achievers from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana receive Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

Hyderabad: Two children from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were among the 20 recipients of the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, presented by President Droupadi Murmu in recognition of exceptional achievements by children across the country.

The awards were conferred on 20 children from 18 States and Union Territories for outstanding accomplishments in the fields of Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art and Culture, and Science and Technology. Addressing the gathering, the President said the honours would not only encourage the awardees but also inspire children nationwide to pursue excellence and serve society.

From Andhra Pradesh:

Seventeen-year-old Shivani Hosuru Uppara from Kurnool district was honoured for her remarkable achievements in para-athletics.

A determined divyang athlete, Shivani has brought laurels to the State and the nation through her performances in shot put and javelin throw. Despite being born without an arm and coming from a humble background, with both parents earning their livelihood as vegetable vendors, Shivani has excelled at district, state, national and international levels, winning over eight medals.

In 2023, she emerged as the Under-20 champion in shot put and javelin throw at the World Ability Sports Games held in Thailand. She continued her winning streak in 2024 by clinching gold medals in running, javelin throw and shot put at the National Junior and Sub-Junior Para Athletics Championship in Bengaluru.

From Telangana:

Sixteen-year-old Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti from Medchal–Malkajgiri district was recognised for his extraordinary achievements in mountaineering. A fearless climber, Vishwanath became the youngest person to complete the prestigious Seven Summits Challenge after successfully summiting Mount Everest in 2025.

He holds four world records and is the youngest to climb Mount Elbrus in southwestern Russia within 24 hours. Vishwanath has scaled 20 major peaks across six continents and has earned entries in the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records. His journey reached a major milestone on May 26, when he successfully climbed Mount Everest (8,848 metres), showcasing years of physical training, mental resilience and determination.

The peaks he has conquered include Mount Everest in Asia, Aconcagua in South America, Denali in North America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Elbrus in Europe, Mount Vinson in Antarctica and Mount Kosciuszko in Australia.

Veer Baal Diwas:

The awards were presented as part of the observance of Veer Baal Diwas, commemorated annually on December 26 to honour the martyrdom of the sons of Guru Gobind Singh.

Speaking on the occasion, President Murmu recalled that nearly 320 years ago, Guru Gobind Singh and his two sons made supreme sacrifices in defence of truth and justice. She said the courage and sacrifice of the younger Sahibzadas — Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh — continue to be revered in India and across the world, and the day serves as a tribute to their bravery and inspiration to the nation.