Nana Patekar brings hope to 117 border families with Rs 42 lakh donation

Rajouri/Poonch, Sep 22: In a deeply moving gesture of empathy and solidarity, noted actor and philanthropist Nana Patekar broke down in tears as he handed over rehabilitation aid to families affected by cross-border shelling in Rajouri and Poonch.

Under the banner of his NGO, Nirmala Gajanan Foundation, and in collaboration with the Indian Army, Padma Shri Patekar distributed cheques worth Rs 42 lakh to 117 families whose lives were upended during Operation Sindoor.

At the Rajouri Army Garrison, the veteran actor’s voice trembled as he addressed villagers who had lost loved ones and homes.

“Your pain is our pain,” he said, holding the hands of several families and assuring them that the nation stands with them. “Victims of cross-border shelling have no fault other than living on border. It is the responsibility of everyone in the country to stand with these families.”

The event saw participation from affected families, Army officers, and civil administration officials, including General Officer Commanding (GOC) Ace of Spades Division, Maj Gen Kaushik Mukherji, who said, “The Indian Army has always stood by border communities, not just for safety, but also for their rehabilitation and development. The psychological and moral support of families matters even more than financial aid.”

Amid this atmosphere of shared grief and hope, Patekar’s compassion took a profoundly personal turn in Poonch, where he became a pillar of support for 11th-grade student Japneet Kour, orphaned by the shelling.

Her father, Amrik Singh, lost his life on May 8, leaving the family devastated.

Moved by Japneet’s story, Patekar assured her family that he would personally fund her education for as long as she wished to study.

Fighting back tears, he said, “I cannot fill the gap of her father, but I will be her grandfather—her Nana. I will look after her education till she wishes to continue it.”

Witnesses described the moment as poignant, with Patekar gently holding Japneet’s hand, his voice trembling with emotion.

For the young girl and her grieving mother, the actor’s words were more than a promise – they were a lifeline of hope.

As Patekar wiped away tears after handing out the cheques, many present were deeply moved by the sight of a celebrated actor standing shoulder-to-shoulder with ordinary villagers in their hour of need.

His heartfelt gesture was not just an act of charity but a reminder of shared humanity and the enduring strength of the people of Pir Panjal.

The Nirmala Gajanan Foundation, founded in memory of Patekar’s parents, Nirmala and Gajanan, has long supported education, health, and welfare initiatives across India, including the adoption of 45 Army Goodwill Schools across Kashmir, Jammu, and Ladakh, underlining its commitment to uplifting border communities.

------------------