The National Bravery Awards are given to honour those children who have demonstrated selfless courage... Similarly, the government should institute National Environment Crusader Awards... Write a letter to the editor of a national daily, in 120 words, expressing your views on the above.
The National Bravery Awards are given to honour those children who have demonstrated selfless courage... Similarly, the government should institute National Environment Crusader Awards... Write a letter to the editor of a national daily, in 120 words, expressing your views on the above.
[Address]
[Date]
The Editor
[Newspaper Name]
Subject: Proposal for National Environment Crusader Awards
Sir/Madam,
Through your esteemed columns, I wish to advocate for the institution of 'National Environment Crusader Awards'. While we rightly honour selfless courage through Bravery Awards, the environmental crisis demands recognition of a different kind of 'environmental courage'.
Many children tirelessly spread awareness about reforestation and waste management, often at personal cost. Recognising such efforts would not only validate their work but also inspire thousands of others to follow suit. Official awards would nurture a generation of eco-conscious citizens who see conservation as a matter of pride, not obligation. In this age of climate change, rewarding those who protect our planet is as vital as rewarding physical bravery. I hope the concerned authorities will consider this proposal.
Yours truly,
[Your Name]
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark for correct Format (sender's address, date, editor's address, subject, salutation, complimentary close).
- 23 marks for Content (reference to bravery awards, argument for environment awards, societal benefits, specific examples).
- 33 marks for Expression (formal tone, persuasive language, grammatical accuracy, logical flow, adherence to 120-word limit).
Hint
Use the bravery awards as an analogy, then build a case for why environmental efforts deserve equal national recognition.
Quick Oral Answer
I would write a formal letter to the editor proposing National Environment Crusader Awards. Drawing a parallel with existing Bravery Awards, I would argue that children working on reforestation and waste management deserve equal recognition to inspire a generation of eco-conscious citizens.
Analysis & Explanation
This is a 7-mark formal letter to the editor, requiring both accurate format and persuasive argumentation.
Concept and marking split
- 1 mark for format, 3 for content, 3 for expression.
- Format needs: sender's address, date, editor's designation, subject line, salutation, complimentary close — missing any one costs the format mark.
Content must accomplish three things
- Acknowledge the existing National Bravery Awards as the reference point.
- Argue why environmental crusaders equally deserve national recognition.
- Explain the societal benefit of such awards (inspiring youth, building eco-consciousness).
Common mistakes
- Spending too many words describing the Bravery Awards instead of arguing for the new award.
- Being vague ('we should help the environment') instead of specific.
- Writing a report/essay instead of a persuasive opinion letter, or writing to the wrong addressee.
Real-world/exam technique
- Drawing the parallel — bravery awards honour physical courage, so environment awards would honour ecological courage — is what makes the argument persuasive.
- 'Through your esteemed columns' is the conventional opening that immediately signals correct format; keep paragraphs short within the 120-word limit.
Common Mistakes
- 1Spending too many words describing the National Bravery Awards instead of focusing on the proposed Environment Crusader Awards -- the bravery awards are just a reference point, not the main topic.
- 2Writing the letter in an informal, conversational tone instead of the formal register expected for a letter to the editor of a national daily newspaper.
- 3Omitting essential format elements (sender's address, date, subject line, or 'Through your esteemed columns' opening) which costs the entire 1-mark format component.
Interesting Facts
The National Bravery Awards for Indian children have been given since 1957 by the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW), with 25 children honored annually on Republic Day eve for acts of bravery against all odds.
Licypriya Kangujam, an 11-year-old Indian climate activist from Manipur, has been campaigning since 2018 for climate action and has addressed world leaders at the UN Climate Change Conference, demonstrating the kind of 'environmental courage' this letter proposes to reward.
Sweden's Right Livelihood Award (often called the 'Alternative Nobel Prize'), established in 1980, recognizes environmental and social justice champions, including Indian activists like Vandana Shiva and Medha Patkar.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct format for a letter to the editor in CBSE exams?
Include: Sender's address (top left), Date, Editor's designation and newspaper name, Subject line, Salutation (Sir/Madam), Body starting with 'Through your esteemed columns...', and Complimentary close with name.
How do I write persuasively within 120 words?
Structure your argument: state the problem (no environment awards), draw a parallel (bravery awards exist), propose the solution (create environment awards), and explain the benefit (inspires eco-consciousness). Each point should be one concise sentence.
Should I discuss both bravery awards and environment awards equally?
No. Mention bravery awards briefly as a reference point, then focus most of your letter on why environment awards should be created. The comparison is the hook, not the main content.