New Delhi, Nov 14 : A total of 36 children were presented National Child Awards for their outstanding achievements by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in the age group of 4 to 15 years here on Wednesday.

The award is given to recognize children's exceptional achievements in the fields of art, culture, sports, academics etc.

The awards carry a medal, certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 20,000 for gold medal and Rs. 10,000 for silver medal.

The gold medal at the national level was awarded to Master Fenil Chetan Shah of Gujarat for winning several national and international chess tournaments.

Silver medals were awarded to 35 children for their exceptional achievements at the State level that include budding scientist, mathematician, painter, folk singer, classical dancer, international skates player and child with exceptional photographic memory.

The awardees also include four children with physical disabilities.

National awards for child welfare were also presented to five institutes and three individuals for their work in the area of child welfare.

These awards carry a cash prize of rupees three lakhs and a certificate to each institution and rupees one lakh and a certificate in the case of individual.

Minister of Women and Child Development, Renuka Chowdhury also presented Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award to Ahanthem Tolen Singh for child welfare, Shobhana Ranade, Maharashtra for child development and Maha Jabeen, Andhra Pradesh for child protection.

Congratulating the awardees, Renuka Chowdhury said the development of children and women is a very high priority of the UPA Government and added that a number of initiatives were being planned with significant increase being made in the allocation for children related schemes and programmes. (ANI)