Biju Patnaik Bravery Award

Biju Patnaik Bravery Award (Biju Patnaik Bahaduri Puraskar)

The Biju Patnaik Bravery Award was initiated by the Government of Odisha’s Sports & Youth Services Department to honor remarkable acts of bravery demonstrated by the citizens of Odisha. Named after the esteemed former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, this award aims to inspire and encourage the youth of India through the celebration of courage and valor.

Overview of the Scheme

This prestigious award is presented annually to individuals who have performed exceptional acts of bravery, either within the state of Odisha or by Odia residents outside its borders. The initiative pays tribute to Biju Patnaik’s legacy, highlighting his own acts of bravery that continue to motivate future generations.

Key Benefits

• The award includes a cash prize of ₹1,00,000/-.
• Recipients will receive a silver medal along with a scroll of honor.
• Awardees will be invited to the ceremony to collect their award in person.
• The Department will cover travel and accommodation expenses at the rate of 1st Class Rail/Bus fare for the awardee.

Important Notes:

• Any form of canvassing for the award is strictly prohibited.
• In cases where the awardee has passed away, it can be awarded posthumously to their next of kin.
• If multiple individuals are involved in a single act of bravery, the cash award will be divided among them.
• The department is not obligated to confer the award every year; if no suitable candidates are found, it may be withheld for that year.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be Indian citizens.
• Individuals demonstrating acts of bravery within Odisha or Odia residents acting outside the state are eligible.
• The act of bravery must have occurred between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year.
• Applicants must not have any criminal convictions.
• The award can only be received once by an individual in their lifetime.

Cancellation and Recovery

If an award is found to have been obtained through fraudulent means, it will be cancelled. The recipient will be required to return all awarded items (cash, silver medal, and scroll). If they fail to comply, legal steps will be initiated to recover the funds along with simple interest at a rate of 5% per annum.

Application Process

How to Apply Offline

To apply for the Biju Patnaik Bravery Award, follow these steps:

1. Nomination for Award:
   • An advertisement inviting nominations will be published annually in January on the Department’s official website, along with a prescribed application format available at the offices of the District Collector, DSO, Superintendent of Police, NYKS, NSS, BSG, NCC, IRCS, and the Sports & Youth Services Department.
   • Nominations may be submitted by the Collector, Superintendent of Police, DSO, NYKS, NSS, BSG, the individual themselves, any registered voluntary organization, NCC, or the Indian Red-Cross Society (State or Central Branch) to the Secretary of the Odisha State Youth Welfare Board at C-1, Nayapalli, Unit-8, Bhubaneswar.

   Note: The Department of Sports & Youth Services may also nominate candidates for the award without any external request.

   All application forms and supporting documents must be self-attested by the applicant, eliminating the need for attestation by a Gazetted Officer.

2. Scrutiny and Selection:

   A three-member committee, chaired by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Sports & Youth Services Department, will conduct the scrutiny and selection process, with the Assistant Director and AFA-cum-Under-Secretary as committee members. The committee’s recommendations will be forwarded to the Honorable Minister for Sports & Youth Services for final approval.

Timelines for the Award

For more information, visit the official page at myScheme.gov.in.