Team Goemkarponn
Vasco: South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes has written to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant recommending fifteen-year-old Nakshatra Nayak of Baina for a national bravery award, citing her “extraordinary courage” during the armed dacoity reported in the early hours of 18 November.
In his letter, Fernandes described the incident as a violent attack carried out by a seven-member gang that broke into the Nayak family’s flat and assaulted Sagar Nayak, his wife Harsha and their daughter. He said the teenager showed remarkable presence of mind even as the assailants, armed with iron rods, repeatedly struck her parents.
According to the MP, Nakshatra pleaded with the dacoits to spare her parents and offered them her piggy bank savings. When her father was being beaten and bleeding heavily, she stepped forward and took a blow on her forearm to protect him, suffering injuries in the process.
Fernandes said the girl remained composed after the gang fled. She reportedly crawled to the kitchen, exited through the window the attackers had used, and ran down seven floors knocking on neighbours’ doors to raise an alarm. Her efforts woke residents, who rushed to help and shifted her parents to safety for urgent medical treatment. The MP said the timely response may have prevented a fatal outcome.
Calling her actions “brave and exemplary”, Fernandes said the teenager had set an inspiring example for citizens, particularly young girls and women confronted with violence. He described her as a symbol of resilience against robbery and assault.
Fernandes requested that the Chief Minister forward her case to the Indian Council for Child Welfare for consideration under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to be presented on 26 January 2026. He also suggested her name for the Veerjyoti Puraskar or the Rakshak Puraskar. The MP said he would also write to the Prime Minister seeking national recognition for the teenager, whom he called “the pride of Goa”.
