Two young prodigies from J&K awarded PM Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024

Srinagar, Dec 26: Two young talents from Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday received Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) 2024 from President Droupadi Murmu for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields.
Ayaan Sajad, a 12-year-old Sufi singer from South Kashmir’s Anantnag district was honoured upon by President Droupadi Murmu honoured with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar in the Art and Culture category at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Ayaan, a 12-year-old singer from Kashmir, gained widespread recognition for his rendition of the Kashmiri song “BeDard Dadi Chane,” which blends Sufi themes with pop-rap elements.
Ayan has already made a name for himself through his soulful renditions of traditional Sufi music. His dedication to the art form and his ability to connect with his audience through his powerful voice have earned him widespread recognition.
The award, which is one of the highest honors for children in India, recognizes extraordinary contributions in various fields, including innovation, social service, scholastic achievements, sports, bravery, and art.
Celebrating Ayaan’s achievement, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in a post on “X” said, “Congratulations to Master Ayaan Sajad on receiving Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar from Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. He is a singer par excellence. I wish Ayaan all the best for future endeavours. May you inspire many more youngsters across J&K UT.”
Similarly, Risheek Kumar, a 17-year-old cyber security prodigy from Samba district of Jammu, was also honored with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar for his work in cyber security.
Risheek has made a name for himself as the founder of J&K’s first cybersecurity company “Hackers Patshala”.
His innovative spirit and exceptional skills in the digital field have earned him significant accolades, including recognition at the Future Crime Summit, where he was named the Future Crime Researcher of the Year.
The Future Crime Summit, one of the largest cyber security conferences in India, recognized Risheek’s contributions to protecting people from digital threats.
At the award ceremony, Risheek was honored for his visionary work in cyber security, which has the potential to shape the future of digital security in India and beyond.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also congratulated Risheek for his work. In a Post on “X”, LG Sinha said, “Master Risheek Kumar from Samba brings laurels by receiving Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar from Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji for his pioneering work in cyber security. Many congratulations Risheek. Your brilliance and innovative spirit will inspire young minds.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah extended their heartfelt congratulations to both the young achievers. In a joint statement, they praised Ayaan and Risheek for their extraordinary contributions, noting that their achievements are a source of immense pride for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
They expressed hope that their dedication and excellence would continue to inspire young minds across the region and beyond.
In their message, both leaders emphasized the importance of nurturing talent in all fields, encouraging the youth of J&K to pursue their passions and strive for excellence.