Akshay Kumar brings light to martyrs' kin

Mumbai: Actor Akshay Kumar has brought some light to the families of 103 slain policemen and army personnel in Maharashtra this Diwali. Joining an initiative by a senior IPS officer, the action star handed over a cheque of Rs 25,000 and a signed letter to each of the families. 

The IPS officer, Vishwas Nangre Patil, had started the initiative last year when he visited almost 200 martyrs’ families and celebrated Diwali with them by distributing sweets. Stating that the idea had it roots in the ritual exchange of boxes of sweets between police teams during the festival of lights, Mr Patil said, “Last year I decided to share sweets with families whose loved ones were lost while serving the nation. This time, I had asked for the numbers of families of martyrs from Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Pune Rural and Solapur Rural regions.”

Explaining how Akshay became a part his initiative, Mr Patil said the actor had sent him a picture in which a small girl was weeping beside the coffin of her father. “Akshay Kumar was very sad after seeing this picture and asked ‘How is this family going to celebrate Diwali?’ I then told him about my initiative, and he liked it so much that he insisted on joining in. We sent him the names of the family members after which he sent cheques of Rs 25,000 for each family.”  

A letter written in Marathi bearing the actor’s signature on the bottom lauds the sacrifice made by martyrs for the country. “I am aware that you must be recalling their lovely memories during Diwali. The tragedy that has befallen your family is immense, and I pray to God that you overcome it with fortitude and usher in the New Year. I wish to offer sweets and a small gift for the children to buy books. I request you to accept them,” the letter reads.

According to officials who accompanied Mr Patil, it was a pleasant surprise for the families to receive a cheque and a letter from the actor.