Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar’s film, Sooryavanshi, is pulling crowd to theaters these days. The film has earned more than 200 crores so far in India alone. Akshay Kumar plays the role of DCP Veer Surya, a tough police officer, in the film. Recently, Akshay Kumar revealed to media that his role in the film was inspired by IPS Vishwas Nangre Patil.
Mr. Patil was the Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone-1, South Mumbai, when terrorists attacked the famous Taj Hotel in Colaba in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He led a special police team that was formed to fight the terrorists and was successful in taking one terrorist down.
The 1997-batch officer, who has also been the Police Commissioner of Nashik, is currently the Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Mumbai. Even during the Covid epidemic, he was seen leading a team of frontline workers to help the needy.
BECOMING AN IPS
Hailing from the small town of Kokrud in Shirala tehsil of Sangli district of Maharashtra, Mr. Patil comes from a middle-class Maharashtrian family. He was very good in studies since childhood and always used to get good marks. He completed his studies from New English School in Shirala. In 1988, he cleared class 10 with 88 per cent marks. He completed his graduation from the prestigious Rajaram College of Shivaji University located in Kolhapur and started preparing for UPSC. He cracked the exam and became an IPS at the age of 25.
But despite becoming an IPS officer, he continued his studies and did MBA in Police Management. Mr. Patil actually wanted to become an IAS but,in spite of two attempts, he got IPS both the times and, today, he has been in police service for almost 23 years.
26/11 BRAVERY
On 26 November 2008, there was a major terrorist attack in Mumbai, the financial capital of India. At that time, Mr. Patil was the Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone-I in South Mumbai. When terrorists attacked Mumbai’s famous Taj hotel, a special team was formed to take charge and fight the terrorists at the hotel. Mr. Patil not only led that team but took down one terrorist also.
Mr. Patil says, “Terrorists had entered the hotel at around 9:40 pm. There was an uproar. They were killing people. I entered from the back side of the hotel with my radio operator and Taj’s security chief. However, the terrorists had already taken positions and were equipped with modern weapons. But our team, armed with normal weapons, fought the terrorists valiantly and killed them.”
In 2013, there was a report of the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the Mumbai attacks. That report mentioned the brave officer: Patil led a team of unskilled and under-prepared men and fought bravely inside the Taj Hotel and killed a terrorist. It was an act of extraordinary courage.
In 2015, the government honored him with the President Police Medal for his indomitable gallantry in the Mumbai attacks. His 26/11 bravery has become his identity now.
INSPIRATIONAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY
IPS Patil is an inspiration for the youth of today. He has written his autobiography in two parts in Marathi language. The book Mann Mein Hai Vishwas is the first part of his autobiography. In this part, he tells the story of how he became an IPS. Very inspirational chapters for all UPSC aspirants. His second book Kar Har Maidan Fateh tells the story of his life after becoming an IPS.
IPS Patil also takes great care of his fitness. He loves running and participates in almost every marathon that is held in Mumbai.
