2 hrs ago
Nana Patekar Recalled Joining Troops During Kargil War
Nana Patekar said he wanted to help Indian soldiers during the Kargil War in 1999.
He asked Army officers if he could go to the front.
They told him he needed permission from the Defence Minister, George Fernandes.
Patekar said Fernandes agreed after hearing about his earlier training with the Maratha Light Infantry.
Patekar then spent about 60 days with soldiers in the conflict area.
He visited several places, including Dras and Leh.
He said he was part of a Quick Reaction Team and later helped at a hospital in Srinagar.
He described the experience as a way to serve his country.
During the 1999 Kargil War, Nana Patekar asked to join Indian troops at the front.
He said Defence Minister George Fernandes eventually gave permission after Patekar described his earlier training with the Maratha Light Infantry.
Patekar recalled spending about 60 days with Army personnel in the conflict zone in August 1999.
He said he travelled to Dras, Leh, Kupwara, Baramulla and Sopore, and served with a Quick Reaction Team.
He also recalled working for six days at a military hospital in Srinagar, helping prepare the remains of fallen soldiers for return home.
- Who
- Actor Nana Patekar, Indian Army personnel and Defence Minister George Fernandes.
- What
- Patekar said he received permission to join troops in the Kargil conflict zone and spent time with them.
- Where
- The Kargil conflict zone and locations including Dras, Leh, Kupwara, Baramulla, Sopore and Srinagar.
- When
- August 1999; Patekar recounted the experience on Kaun Banega Crorepati in August 2024.
- Why
- Patekar said he wanted to serve his country and support the troops.
Key facts
- Conflict
- Kargil War, 1999
- Time with troops
- About 60 days, according to Patekar
- Permission
- Patekar said Defence Minister George Fernandes granted permission
- Prior military training
- Patekar said he had spent three years training with the Maratha Light Infantry
- Role mentioned
- Patekar said he became part of a Quick Reaction Team
- Hospital work
- He said he helped at a military hospital in Srinagar for six days
- Places visited
- Dras, Leh, Kupwara, Baramulla and Sopore
Quotes
Nana Patekar
Actor who recounted his Kargil War experience on Kaun Banega Crorepati.
“I told him, ‘Commission toh six months mein hota hai, maine toh teen saal guzaare hain.’ He asked where, and I told him about my experience with the Maratha Light Infantry. Then he asked, ‘Kab jaana chahte ho?’ I told him, ‘Today.’”
theprint.in
“I knew our Defence Minister George Fernandes ji, so I called him. Even he said it was impossible.”
theprint.in
Sources
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