Biju Patnaik Bravery Award

Description
The “Biju Patnaik Bravery Award” was launched by the Sports & Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha to recognize spectacular acts of Bravery performed by the people of Odisha. The award was presented to commemorate the service of the late Biju Patnaik, the ex-Chief Minister of Odisha who had shown in his lifetime many acts of bravery that inspire the youth of India till today. The award shall be given annually for the most outstanding act of bravery.

Benefits
• The award shall comprise of a cash award of ₹1,00,000/-, one silver medal, and a scroll.
• The awardee shall be invited to receive the award in person. The awardee shall be given TA/DA at the rate of 1st Class Rail/Bus fare and arrangements for his/her stay at Bhubaneswar shall be made by the Department.
• **Note 01:** Canvassing for the award in any form is prohibited.
• **Note 02:** The award can also be given posthumously to the next of kin of the awardee.
• **Note 03:** In case of involvement of more than one person in the selected act of bravery, the award money will be shared amongst all.
• **Note 04:** It will not be binding on the Department of Sports & Y.S. to confer the award every year. In case of non-availability of suitable persons for the award, the award shall not be conferred for the respective year.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant should be a citizen of India.
2. Anybody who performs any spectacular act of bravery inside Odisha will be eligible to be considered for the Award. A resident of Odisha performing the spectacular act of bravery outside will also be eligible for this award.
3. The applicant should have rendered the act of bravery from 1st January to 31st December of the preceding year.
4. The applicant should not have been convicted of any criminal offence.
5. The award shall be given to a person only once in his lifetime.
6. > **Cancellation & Recovery:**
7. - The award shall be cancelled in case it is found that it has been obtained by fraudulent means.
8. - In the event of cancellation of the award, the concerned person will be asked to refund the award (cash, silver medal and scroll) failing which steps shall be initiated to recover the involved cost from him alongwith simple interest @ 5% per annum.

Required Documents
• Identity proof
• Three Passport size photographs
• First Information Report (FIR) or Police Diary filed with the Police Station
• Newspaper/Magazine Clippings
• Supporting photograph, if any
• Recommendation letter, if any
• Adequate documentary evidence in support of the act of bravery

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the "Biju Patnaik Bravery Award"?
A: The award is launched by the Sports & Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha, to recognize spectacular acts of bravery performed by individuals in Odisha.

Q: How often is the award given?
A: The award shall be given annually for the most outstanding act of bravery.

Q: What are the benefits of the award?
A: The award includes a cash prize of [?]1,00,000/-, one silver medal, and a scroll.

Q: Are there any restrictions on canvassing for the award?
A: Yes, canvassing for the award in any form is prohibited.

Q: Can the award be given posthumously?
A: Yes, the award can be given posthumously to the next of kin of the awardee.

Q: What happens in case of multiple individuals involved in the act of bravery?
A: In case of involvement of more than one person, the award money will be shared among all.

Q: Is the award conferred every year?
A: It will not be binding on the Department of Sports & Y.S. to confer the award every year. If suitable candidates are not available, the award may not be conferred for the respective year.

Q: What acts of bravery make an individual eligible for the award?
A: Any individual who performs a spectacular act of bravery within Odisha or a resident of Odisha performing such an act outside the state is eligible for consideration.

Q: Is there a specific timeframe for the act of bravery to be considered?
A: Yes, the applicant should have rendered the act of bravery during the period from 1st January to 31st December of the preceding year.

Q: Are there any criminal background restrictions for eligibility?
A: Yes, the applicant should not have been convicted of any criminal offence.

Q: Can an individual receive the award more than once?
A: No, the award shall be given to a person only once in their lifetime.

Q: Where can an applicant find the application form?
A: Advertisement for the award shall be uploaded every year in January on the Department Website with a prescribed application format which will be also available in the office of District Collector & DSO, Supdt. of Police, NYKS, NSS, BSG, NCC, IRCS & Sports & Youth Services Department.

Q: Where can the nomination form be submitted?
A: The nominations can be sent by the Collector, Supdt. of Police, DSO, NYKS, NSS, BSG, the person himself/herself, any registered Voluntary Organization, NCC & Indian Red-Cross Society (State or Central Branch) to the Secretary, Odisha State Youth Welfare Board, C-1, Nayapalli, Unit-8, Bhubaneswar.