Trinidad Express
Anna Ramdass Saturday, September 1st 2007
Humming Bird Medal: Six-year-old Priya Seeram
Prime Minister Patrick Manning was visibly surprised yesterday when six-year-old Priya Seeram went to the stage to receive a national award for gallantry.
Priya received the Humming Bird Medal (bronze) for gallantry at the National Awards Ceremony f held at the Diplomatic Centre, La Fantasie Road, St Ann's. Manning told the Express he was surprised and felt happy that Priya was bestowed with the award for her bravery.
Asked by reporters how she felt , Priya said, "nice and happy."
A timid Priya said she wanted to become an artist. Priya's mother Dhanmatie said she was " very proud and happy" for Priya who she described as " a very special child," she said.
On Sunday September 3, 2006 then five years old, Priya Seeram tried saving her cousin from a kidnapper who came out of the forest.
She failed, but ran until she found help that sparked a search involving scores of villagers.
It was the relentless hunt along dirt roads, rivers and forest tracks that led to the rescue of 20-year-old Candice Beharry.
The abductor, with Beharry slung on his back, dropped her and ran as the search party began closing in.
Beharry was snatched on the Sunday afternoon, but was home by nightfall-because of Priya's action.
Beharry's father, hardware owner Chitrika Beharry, said he owed his daughter's life to Priya.
"If she was not that brave, if it did not happen so, my daughter would be dead," he told the Express.
