- Nana Patekar Distributes ₹42 Lakh Relief, Adopts Army Goodwill Schools in Border Districts
Rajouri, Sept 22: Veteran Bollywood actor Nana Patekar, known for his powerful screen presence and understated social work, turned visibly emotional while interacting with victims of Pakistani shelling in Rajouri on Monday. Visiting the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch under the banner of his NGO, Nirmala Gajanan Foundation (NGF), Patekar distributed relief worth ₹42 lakh among 117 affected families, offering them a sense of solidarity during their darkest times.
These families had either lost loved ones or suffered extensive damage to their homes in the aftermath of Pakistani retaliation during Operation Sindoor in May this year. The Indian Armed Forces had launched the operation with multi-missile strikes targeting terror infrastructure across the border in response to the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, most of them tourists. The following escalation led to Pakistani shelling, drone attacks, and missile strikes along the Line of Control, killing at least 28 people in the border belt.
Moved by the stories of loss, Patekar announced that he would personally sponsor the education of an 11-year-old girl who lost her father, Amreek Singh, during the cross-border shelling in Poonch. “This is a small contribution for our families who are suffering only because they live on the border. Through this, we want to tell them they are not alone. It is our responsibility as citizens to step forward and adopt at least one such family, instead of relying only on the Government,” he said while addressing media at Rajouri Garrison.
Patekar was accompanied by senior Army and civil officers, including General Officer Commanding of 25th Infantry Division Maj Gen Kaushik Mukherjee and Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma, who praised NGF’s initiative for bringing hope to distressed border residents.
The actor, who earned acclaim for portraying an Army Major in the classic film Prahaar, has long maintained a deep association with the armed forces. Recalling his earlier efforts, he said he had contributed in his personal capacity during the 1999 Kargil War and had even visited forward areas guarded by the BSF. “I may be coming to Rajouri for the first time, but Jammu and Kashmir has always been close to my heart,” he added.
A Padma Shri awardee, Patekar revealed that NGF has also adopted 48 Army Goodwill Schools—28 in Kashmir, seven in Ladakh, and the rest in Jammu. The NGO aims to upgrade infrastructure and improve education standards in these institutions, which serve as vital bridges of trust and hope in conflict-affected areas. “Education is the most sustainable form of empowerment, and this is where our focus will remain,” he emphasized.
When asked about future plans, including the possibility of establishing a hospital for border residents, Patekar candidly remarked, “It is easy to establish a facility but difficult to maintain it.” He stressed the importance of long-term commitment over symbolic gestures. On the issue of poor road conditions along the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway, he assured that he would take up the matter with authorities in Delhi to ensure better connectivity and facilities for border residents.
Interestingly, the actor also acknowledged the contribution of fellow philanthropists from the film industry, including Amitabh Bachchan and Johnny Lever, describing himself as “just a face in the front” while underlining that these efforts were only the beginning.
The relief distribution and educational commitments made by Patekar and NGF have been welcomed by the local community, many of whom expressed that such gestures restore faith in humanity at a time when they feel neglected. For border families, living under the constant shadow of shelling and displacement, the event was more than just a relief measure, it was a reminder that their sacrifices and sufferings have not gone unnoticed.