Latest news with #MarathaLightInfantry
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Soldier dies in accidental firing in J-K's Doda
Bhaderwah/Jammu: An army personnel was killed when his service rifle accidentally went off inside a camp in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday. Sepoy Suresh Biswal was on guard duty when his colleagues heard a gunfire from his post at Sarna camp in Bhaderwah, the officials said. They said the soldier was found in a pool of blood and was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead. Superintendent of police, Bhaderwah, Vinod Sharma said preliminary investigation suggested that the soldier, a resident of Odisha, lost his life due to accidental discharge while he was unloading the chamber of his service rifle. He said inquest proceedings are underway to ascertain the exact cause of his death An army soldier died after slipping down a slope during a routine patrol near the Line of Control in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday. Sepoy B Anil of Maratha Light Infantry, while patrolling a border post, slipped and died on the spot on Monday, the officials said. They said the body of the 31-year-old soldier from Telangana was taken to Uri sub district hospital for medico-legal formalities. 'Chinar Corps deeply regrets the loss of precious life of Braveheart Sepoy Banoth Anil Kumar, while performing operational duty along the Line of Control in Baramulla district,' Srinagar-based Chinar Corps posted on its X handle.
Indian Express
03-08-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Ex-Armyman-turned-forest guard's reforesting mission in Pune wins PM Modi's praise
The barren slopes of the Khandoba hill at Dhamankhel near Pune district's Junnar city tell a remarkable story of transformation. What was once a parched, lifeless land now thrives with over 1,200 trees, their roots drinking from trenches that store eight lakh litres of life-giving rainwater. Behind this green revolution stands Ramesh Kharmale, a former Armyman whose weekend hobby became a full-time mission and has caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'Our family's day starts at 5 am,' says Kharmale. 'By 5.30 am, we're in the field, watering, weeding, planting, digging. Three hours of work before the daily chores begin.' This disciplined approach reflects Kharmale's 17-year service in the Army's Maratha Light Infantry. After retiring from the Army in 2012, the Pune native with a farming background briefly worked as a security guard at Union Bank's Thergaon branch. But the air-conditioned comfort felt suffocating to a man accustomed to open fields. 'I realised I couldn't serve my country by sitting idle on a bank's desk,' Kharmale says. The solution came naturally from thinking about environmental conservation. While he continued his job at the bank, weekends became mission time for Kharmale and his family, who would trek to barren hilltops with spades and seeds. Continuous contour trenching Before each monsoon, they dug trenches and small pits along slopes to trap rainwater, a traditional technique called continuous contour trenching. Seeds planted in these natural reservoirs had the moisture they needed to establish roots, while the captured water slowly recharged underground aquifers. This has resulted in over 400 m of trenches now dotting the landscape, capable of recharging groundwater by over 16 million litres annually during good rainfall years. Fig, neem, bamboo, peepal, and mahogany trees have created a micro-ecosystem where once nothing grew.'' Recognising his work, Prime Minister Modi highlighted Kharmale's work in his 123rd Mann Ki Baat broadcast, adding, 'This recognition will inspire many others to become active agents of change.' That recognition was for his long-standing hard work. In 2013, Kharmale appeared for a Maharashtra Public Service Commission exam, determined to make environmental work his full-time career. Appointed as a forest guard in 2014, he gained official support for his grassroots reforestation efforts. 'PM Modi's words have boosted our morale tremendously,' says Kharmale. His latest project, an 'oxygen park' in Vadaj village near Dhamankhel, represents an evolution of his approach. The small forest patch is protected by trenches that serve dual purposes: water conservation and natural fencing against grazing animals. 'This model can be replicated anywhere,' Kharmale explains. 'And I believe that every forest department should try this approach across the country.' 'Get your hands dirty' Kharmale's impact extends beyond physical transformation. Through school visits across the state and an active social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, he's building a team of environmental conservationists. His message is: 'Don't just post statuses about environment conservation, get your hands dirty.' 'Army discipline, forest department guidance, family support, and community encouragement have all contributed to this success, which began as a weekend activity and evolved into a life's mission,' Kharmale added. Recognising his conservation efforts, Kharmale has also been invited to the Independence Day celebrations in Delhi by the President Droupadi Murmu. The writer is an intern with The Indian Express.
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kargil Vijay Diwas: Did you know THIS national award-winning Bollywood actor served in Indian Army during Kargil War?
As India celebrates Kargil Vijay Diwas , honouring the brave soldiers who fought in the 1999 Kargil War , one name from the world of films shines in a different light, Nana Patekar . Known for his intense roles and award-winning performances, the veteran actor did something truly remarkable. He left the comfort of film sets and joined the Indian Army during the war, putting his life on the line alongside real soldiers. Not a typical Bollywood-style hero Vishwanath Patekar, famously known as Nana Patekar, is one of the finest actors in Hindi and Marathi cinema. Born in 1951, Nana made his film debut in 'Gaman' in 1978. In the years that followed, he won hearts with films like 'Parinda', 'Prahaar', 'Angaar', 'Salaam Bombay', and 'Tirangaa'. He may not have looked like the usual Bollywood hero, but his power-packed performances spoke louder than anything else. A huge name in the 90s, Nana is also a three-time National Award winner. He trained with real-life soldiers While shooting 'Prahaar', Nana went through serious military training. As reported by BollywoodShaadis, he trained with the Maratha Light Infantry for three years. This wasn't just for the cameras—it left a strong impact on him. When the Kargil War broke out in 1999, Nana didn't just cheer from the sidelines. He wanted to join the Army and serve the nation for real. But his wish was met with hesitation by military officials. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Abandoned houses for sale near you at affordable prices abandoned houses Learn More Undo Officials refused his request at first At first, the army officials didn't agree with his request. Nana wasn't ready to give up so easily. He even mentioned his national-level shooting experience, hoping it would help, but still, nothing moved forward. Nana reached out to George Fernandes When he was told only the Defence Ministry could approve his request, Nana went straight to the top. He contacted the then Defence Minister, George Fernandes. During his appearance on 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', Nana shared: 'I knew our Defence Minister George Fernandes ji, so I called him. Even he said it is impossible. I told him that even though the training for commission is six months, I trained for three years. He was surprised and asked me about it. After learning of my experience with the Maratha Light Infantry, he asked me, 'When do you want to go?'' Nana patrolled in conflict-hit zones In August 1999, Nana officially joined the Army as an honorary captain. His dream had come true. Wearing the Indian Army uniform with pride, he was posted in some of the most dangerous areas during the war—Dras, Kupwara, Baramulla, Sopore, and Mughalpura. He did everything that the other soldiers did. He patrolled the Line of Control , stood guard, and even helped out in military hospitals. Nana didn't just visit the camps for photos—he lived like a soldier. Lost 20 kg while on duty Life at the border was not easy. Nana was part of the Quick Response Team (QRT) and saw the war up close. Speaking to The Lallantop, Nana said: 'I was 76 kg when I reached Srinagar. By the time I came back, I was 56 kg.' He lost 20 kg during his time at the front. But instead of complaining, he felt proud to have stood with India's brave soldiers in a real war zone. Returned to acting with more power Once his service ended, Nana returned to films. His passion for acting never faded, but now, he had a new layer of experience and pride. He gave back-to-back strong performances and continued to impress audiences with his honest and powerful screen presence.
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kargil Vijay Diwas: Meet the National Award-winning actor who joined Indian Army during Kargil War, was deployed at the border
During the Kargil War in 1999, Bollywood actor Nana Patekar, known for his on-screen portrayals of strong characters, took his patriotism beyond acting. He sought permission to join the military effort, drawing on his prior army training for the film 'Prahaar'. Deployed near the Line of Control, he provided logistical and moral support to soldiers, embodying civilian courage and dedication. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads From Reel Patriotism to Real Action Serving at the Edge of Conflict Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Larger Battle for the Peaks A Lasting Symbol of Civilian Courage As war clouds loomed over the icy peaks of Kargil in 1999, it wasn't just trained soldiers who stepped up to defend the nation—some civilians, too, felt an unshakable urge to contribute. Among them stood a name not unfamiliar to the public: veteran Bollywood actor Nana Patekar . On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas , it is worth revisiting how this acclaimed performer stepped far beyond the arc lights to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with real-life heroes in one of the most treacherous conflicts of recent for portraying complex, powerful characters in Indian cinema, Nana Patekar had always shown a deep fascination with the armed forces. This admiration didn't remain confined to movie scripts or acting roles. Back in the early 1990s, while preparing for his film Prahaar—which delved into the rigors of military life—he immersed himself in actual army training with the Maratha Light Infantry for three years. This firsthand experience was not just for artistic accuracy; it left a lasting imprint on his values and the Kargil War erupted in May 1999, he was not content to merely support the cause through words or public appearances. Determined to take meaningful action, he approached top army officers with a request to join the military effort at the border. His offer was initially declined. However, his persistent spirit led him to seek the intervention of then Defence Minister George Fernandes. By invoking his earlier military training, he convinced the authorities to allow his participation in the ongoing August 1999, when the main combat had begun to ease but the situation remained volatile, Nana Patekar was finally deployed in the Kargil region. He was attached to a Quick Response Team (QRT) operating near the Line of Control (LoC), the fragile boundary separating Indian and Pakistani military positions. Though not involved in direct combat, he worked alongside soldiers in volatile zones and offered logistical and moral the battlefield, Patekar also extended his services to a military base hospital, where he contributed to the treatment of wounded troops. The harsh environment tested his physical endurance. The bitter cold, rugged terrain, and austere conditions caused him to lose nearly 20 kilograms—shedding light on the taxing physical conditions soldiers endure daily. Despite this strain, he viewed the experience as one of deep emotional Kargil War, fought from May to July 1999, unfolded in the mountainous terrain of Ladakh's Kargil district, then part of the larger Jammu and Kashmir region. The conflict stemmed from the stealthy incursion of Pakistani soldiers—disguised as militants—who occupied key Indian positions along the LoC. This confrontation evolved into a high-altitude war between India and military launched a counteroffensive named Operation Vijay to reclaim the occupied territories. The Indian Air Force also collaborated with ground forces under a parallel mission, Operation Safed Sagar, delivering aerial support and reconnaissance. The combined operations succeeded in pushing back the infiltrators, but the toll on both human life and national morale was choosing to serve amidst conflict, Nana Patekar didn't just honor the spirit of patriotism—he exemplified it. His decision to move from screen heroics to frontline duty stands as a powerful reminder that courage is not bound by profession. His story remains an enduring chapter in India's narrative of unity, sacrifice, and unbreakable resolve.
Deccan Herald
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Kolhapur scion Sambhaji Chhatrapati visits Warsaw
Yesterday I had the privilege of visiting the Monte Cassino War Memorial in Warsaw, honouring the sacrifices of the brave soldiers who fought in the Second World War, including the gallantry of the Maratha Light Infantry. On site stands a plaque as a reminder of the deep… — Sambhaji Chhatrapati (@YuvrajSambhaji) July 10, 2025 Honoured to be in Warsaw for a meaningful series of meetings reflecting the deep and evolving bond between India and Poland. In my conversations with Polish Secretary of State Dr. Teofil Bartoszewski Władysław and his team, we spoke of the shared values that unite our cultures —… — Sambhaji Chhatrapati (@YuvrajSambhaji) July 10, 2025
