Nazia: TOI photo

UP Muslim teen gets bravery award for saving 6-yr-old Hindu girl from abductors

http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31804&articlexml=UP-Muslim-teen-gets-bravery-award-for-saving-09032016012023

Anuja Jaiswal

Agra
Mar 09 2016 : The Times of India (Mumbai)

Agra:Amidst the communally surcharged atmosphere in Agra following the killing of VHP leader Arun Mahor, this is a story that both communities need to take lessons from and celebrate.
 
Fifteen-year-old Nazia Qureshi was on Tuesday given the Rani Laxmi Bai Bravery Award by CM Akhilesh Yadav for saving a 6-year-old Hindu girl from kidnappers in August last year. The award carries a cheque of Rs 1lakh.
 
In the afternoon of August 7, Nazia, a student of Saghir Fa tima Mohammadia Girls Inter College, was returning home when she heard cries for help from a young girl, who was being forcibly pulled onto a motorcycle by two youths. Unmindful of her own safety , Nazia rushed to the girl's help, held her hand and managed to pull her away from the kidnappers, who then fled the spot.
 
It was only after she had rescued 6-year-old Dimpy Kumar that Nazia learnt she was her junior in the school. Dimpy's parents now treat Nazia as their own daughter.
 
Talking to TOI , Nazia said her actions were spontaneous.“When I heard Dimpy's cries for help, I just rushed to her and caught hold of her hand and didn't let go ,“ she said.
 
Dimpy said she was very happy that “didi“ had been awarded for her bravery . “Agar didi uss din na hoti to woh log mujhe le jaate (they would have taken me away that day if didi hadn't been there),“ she said.