Madikeri: A class 10 student from Kodagu, who drowned in Cauvery river at Dubare Elephant Camp of Kodagu district last year while saving the life of his schoolmate, was honoured with the Hoysala Shaurya Award by the Women and Child Welfare Department.

Son of Madeera Harish and Kavitha of Hysodlur village, Madeera Lenin Bopanna (16) had been nominated for the award. Lenin Bopanna was a student of Lion’s School in Kalathmadu village near                                             Gonikoppal town. 

The incident took place last year (Mar. 4, 2020) when students from the school’s Scouts and Guides team had gone for a picnic and visited Dubare Camp. Some students reportedly went for a swim in the Cauvery River but were pulled by water currents. 

Lenin Bopanna had immediately jumped into the river and successfully saved the life of Shan Mandanna, son of Kiriyamada Isha Bopanna, but he himself drowned in the rescue process while trying to rescue another student named Kodengada M. Shreyas of Kanoor.

His parents Madeera Harish and Kavitha received the Hoysala Shaurya Award (posthumous) at the Award Presentation Ceremony held in Bengaluru on Wednesday (Mar. 10). 

Deputy Chief Minister Govind M. Karjol, Scouts and Guides State Regional Commissioner P.G.R. Sindhia, Women and Child Development Minister Shashikala Jolle and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony.