9-Year-Old Hero: Agra Boy Who Fought Crocodile to Save Father Receives National Bravery Award

In a Remarkable display of courage, Ajayraj Nishad, a 9-year-old from Jharnapura village in Agra, was honored with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu on Veer Bal Diwas. The young hero traveled to New Delhi to receive the prestigious award for saving his father from the jaws of a crocodile in the Chambal River.

The Life-and-Death Struggle on the Chambal

The incident occurred on July 25, when Ajayraj’s father, Veer Bhan, a local farmer, was grazing goats along the riverbank with Ajayraj and his sister, Kiran. When the children grew thirsty, Veer Bhan stepped toward the water to fill a bottle.

In a split second, a crocodile surfaced and clamped its jaws onto Veer Bhan’s leg, attempting to drag him into the deep water. As his father’s screams echoed across the bank, most would have been paralyzed by fear but not Ajayraj.

“I was afraid for my life too,” Ajayraj admitted during his reception on Saturday. “But at that moment, the only thing that came to my mind was how to save my dad.”

Armed with only a wooden stick, the diminutive Class IV student jumped into the river. He didn’t just hit the predator; he strategically struck the crocodile in the eye. The repeated, forceful blows forced the reptile to loosen its grip and retreat into the murky waters.

From the Riverbank to the Rashtrapati Bhavan

Ajayraj’s bravery quickly became the “talk of the town,” leading to a flurry of local commendations that eventually reached the national capital.

• The Award: Presented by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi.
• The Occasion: Veer Bal Diwas, a day dedicated to honoring the courage of children.
• The Interaction: Ajayraj also met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an experience he says has shaped his future ambitions.

A Hero’s Homecoming

Returning to his hometown in Bah tehsil on Saturday, Ajayraj was greeted with a grand reception. Despite the national spotlight, the young boy remains grounded, crediting his grandmother, Ratna Devi, who looks after him and his two siblings following the passing of their mother.

“I Want to Protect My Country,” The encounter has left Ajayraj with more than just a medal, it has given him a mission. Inspired by his interaction with the Prime Minister, he has set his sights on a career in the military.

“I want to join the defence forces and serve the nation in the future,” he said. “I want to protect my country the way I protected my father.”