Bhubaneswar, April 23: The gift of two bicycles from chief minister Naveen Patnaik has changed the lives of six-year-old Mamata and her friend Tiki from an off-the-map hamlet of Kendrapara.

On April 13, chief minister Naveen Patnaik felicitated Mamata at the state secretariat here for her brave act of bringing back her friend Tiki from the jaws of a crocodile that had sneaked into a village pond.

While felicitating Mamata and giving bicycles to her and her friend Tiki, Naveen also posed with them for a photo.

"Naveen uncle patted both of us. He told us to study hard and be courageous and successful in life," Mamata said, recalling her meeting with the chief minister.

The cycles have not only brought smiles on their faces but have also brought about a change in their daily lives.

"My school was a 10 minute's walk from my home. But now, I pedal to my school and reach in two to three minutes. I am thankful to Naveen uncle for the gift," she said.

The poor parents of the two kids could have never have been able to afford a bicycle for their kids.

"We feel honoured. The bicycle gifted by the honourable chief minister has motivated my daughter to excel in studies and do well in life. Naveen babu has advised them to continue their studies and never stop going to school," said Mamata's father Nirmal Dalai.

"I am a poor daily wager. It is beyond my reach to gift my daughter a bicycle."

Mamata, a Class-II student, was taking bath in the village pond with her friend on April 4 when the crocodile sneaked silently from water all of a sudden and pounced on Tiki.

Tiki lost her balance and fell onto the jaws of the reptile in no time. But little Mamata did not lose her presence of mind at the horrific scene. She picked up a bamboo stick and dealt a lethal blow, with whatever strength her small hands have, straight onto the animal's head.

The reptile was injured on its head and forced to slip back into the water, leaving Tiki.

The state government has also asked the Kendrapara district administration to bear all costs of the education of the two girls.

The administration has also recommended Mamata for the National Bravery Award.