For over a decade, Veteran Actor and Social Activist Nana Patekar has been supporting the annadatas through his Naam Foundation. Recently, addressing the students of Sanjay Ghodawat University during the ‘Dilkhulas with Nana Patekar’ program, the actor said, “View these suicides with empathy. These are our people.”
According to the most recent National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, over 10,786 farmers and agricultural workers took their own lives in 2023, with more than 38.5% of them from Maharashtra.
Explaining to the students about the harsh truth of life and death, he said, “When one accepts the reality of death, life becomes beautiful.” Don’t look away from farmer suicides or other crises, “face the hard truths”. That’s when you start living with real purpose,” he added.
The veteran actor inspired and enlightened students during his address and said, “Information is not knowledge.” he advised students not to depend solely on social media, but to cultivate deep study and understanding of life. He urged them to value available resources, become self-reliant, study caste, religion, and politics from the perspective of national interest, and fearlessly take up responsibilities whenever required.
He also shared memories from his childhood, painting a vivid picture of how a boy named Vishwanath Patekar became the man standing before them. But these weren’t the success stories of a celebrity but the reality and struggle he faced to become what he is today; the address left the audience inspired and motivated.
The event also featured the release of ‘Shabd Pankh,’ a book authored by Prashant Kulkarni and Pankaj Mehta. Dr. Virat Giri offered the audience insights into the actor’s remarkable journey, from struggling actor to cinema icon to dedicated social activist.
University Chairman Sanjay Ghodawat further highlighted Nana Patekar’s illustrious acting career alongside his commendable social initiatives through the Naam Foundation. Emphasizing the need for sensitivity towards farmers’ issues, Ghodawat assured that Sanjay Ghodawat University would extend all necessary support in collaboration with the Naam Foundation for the holistic development of Zilla Parishad primary schools across Kolhapur district.
What the students will remember most isn’t the ceremony itself, but Nana Patekar standing there, speaking to them with complete honesty. He didn’t avoid the hard topics; he talked openly about the farmer crisis and didn’t pretend there were quick fixes. He simply asked them to care and to try. In his closing remarks, he told the students, “You will contribute to this nation’s progress.” Coming from someone who has spent years working with farmers, the statement served as a clear reminder of the responsibility this generation holds in shaping India’s future.
