The name of the Class VIII student from St Francis College was recommended for the Sanjay Chopra National Bravery Award by the police in March last year after he fought off armed robbers as they attempted to snatch his mother’s purse.

Saumik, who got the confirmation for the coveted award on Tuesday, would be leaving for New Delhi on January 15. During his 10-day stay there, he will be meeting President Pratibha Patil, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, besides being honoured by the Prime Minister on January 26.

Recounting the incident that took place on March 16 last year, Saumik’s father Shishir Mishra said despite being hit by a pistol butt, his son chased away the robbers. Saumik and his mother Praveena Mishra were going out for shopping. Barely a few metres from their house, two persons tried to snatch Praveena’s purse. But the robbers were in for a surprise. Saumik caught hold of one of them with one hand and grabbed his mother’s wallet with the other. Though the boy fell down in the scuffle, the alarmed robbers fled the spot.

Later, the incident was reported to the Gomti Nagar Police Station, which not only nabbed the miscreants but also felicitated Saumik before recommending his name for the national award.

When his mother heard the news about the award, she could barely disguise her joy. “Every a congratulatory call comes in, we feel proud,” she said.