*Actor urges Kashmir children to come to mainstream
Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Nov 16: After Akhay Kumar’s encouraging words “I am reel hero, Border Security Force (BSF) men are real heroes”, bollywood actor and Padam Shri Nana Patekar said that borders of India are safe and secure with highly motivated BSF troops.
Patekar, 65 said this while talking to media after meeting with BSF troops and their families in Samba Sector, here today.
He said that for BSF men, Diwali, Eid, Maa, Pitaji and everything is Sarhad and they are so highly motivated that it raised him and his countrymen motivation that borders of India are safe and secure with highly motivated BSF officers and men.
He added that BSF’s outstanding contribution to the security of our nation cannot be overstated, adding that it is not an easy job, but border-men do it with dedication and resolve.
“I will do whatever is required to be done for the immeasurable contribution of the BSF men towards the security and integrity of the country”, Patekar maintained.
After coming here I am surprised to see the highly motivated BSF jawans working in extremely difficult environment on the border away from their families, the actor said in an emotional mood, adding that BSF duty posts at International Border where they remain present day and night through out the year are like temples for him and having visiting them he felt purified.
Later, the bollywood actor had barakhana with the troops, which further boost the morale of the border-men guarding the international boundary.
Nana Patekar also wrote a message for martyrs “Jald Hi Vapas Aajao Jang Abhi Khatam Nahi Hui Hai!” on the Board of Development for Sport in India’s (BDSI’s) 6th Jammu Marathon Signature Campaign “Signup for India” poster.
Patekar also signed the BDSI Visitor Book and wrote “Aaj Phir Solah Saal Ka Ho Gaya Hoon Main. Mere Sabhi Bade Bhaiyon Ko Milke Bhadi Khushi Mili. Do Saal Ke Baad Main Phir 18 Saal Ka Ho Jaoonga Aur BSF Join Karunga, Jai Hind”. BDSI National President Amit Sethi along with Vice Chairman Vimal Manchanda and other members of the BDSI were present on the occasion.
After signing the visitors’ book of BSDI, Nana Patekar said that “I am highly motivated with the courage, bravery and commitment of BSF men. My visit made me 16 years younger and I would like to come again and again to stay with the troops deployed at the border.
Earlier, bollywood actor, producer, director and writer Nana Patekar, Padam Shri paid rich homage at Martyrs’ Memorial at Frontier Headquarters BSF Paloura in Jammu.
Inspector General (IG) Jammu Frontier and Chairman BSF School Jammu DK Upadhyaya, DIG/PSO Ram Awtar and other DIGs and BSF officials were present on the occasion.
He expressed his heartfelt respect and regards for all the border-men who fought and made their supreme sacrifice in the service of motherland.
The actor met with the parents and relatives of Late BSF Constable Gurnam Singh who sacrificed his life on October 21 while defending the border against armed infiltrators in Samba sector on international border. He was amazed to see courage and patriotism of parents and family of martyred.
Brother and sister of BSF jawan Gurnam Singh want to join Indian defence services to serve the nation. The duo shared their wish with actor Nana Patekar.
“We wish to join BSF to serve the nation and safeguard our borders like my brother”, Gurnam’s sister Gurjeet Kaur told the actor during interaction. Like his sister, Manjeet-younger brother of Gurnam also expressed his wish to join BSF.
“You are family of a brave heart martyr. Nation salutes you. We are proud of you. He was the real hero”, Patekar said.
Entire family of Gurnam including his father Kulbeer Singh, mother Jaswant Kaur, brother Manjeet, sister Gurjeet and grandfather met the actor.
Patekar also visited BSF Senior Secondary School, Paloura and met with teachers and students. The students were extremely happy after talking with their iconic film star who gave his voice to ‘Sher Khan’ in serial ‘Jungle Jungle Phool Khila Hai’. Patekar asked the students to “shun violence”.
Asserting that Kashmiri children should take part in development of India, veteran actor Nana Patekar said they must focus on education.
“I want to tell the children of Kashmir that they should read, write and learn and come to the mainstream”, Patekar said while pointing towards the unrest in the Valley which has witnessed a series of incidents in which the educational institutes were set ablaze and pelted.
On being asked about school children involved in stone pelting incidents, he said, “By doing this, you cannot build your career. They should learn, come to the mainstream and contribute in nation building”.
“They (Kashmir students) should first understand that this (India) is their own country and then everything will be resolved”, he said.
Nana Patekar is the second actor after Akshay Kumar to visit BSF troops in Jammu and pay tributes to the soldiers.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
