Navsari (Gujarat): Police Constable Sanjay Solanki, who hails from a small village of Mehsana district in North Gujarat, is posted in Vijalpur of Navsari district in South Gujarat. His wife was in the advance stage of pregnancy and was expected to deliver any time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a 21-day lockdown in the country to prevent spread of the deadly Covid-19 virus.
Instead of staying back with his wife and experiencing the joy of seeing the face of his newborn, Sanjay promptly reported on duty in Vijalpur, the place of his posting.
He considered serving the country at a time of national emergency and left his pregnant wife, not even applying for leave to his superior officers. Meanwhile, his wife delivered a baby boy, the news of which was conveyed to him over the phone. He shared his joy with his wife by making a video call.
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When his superior officer, Saraju Salunke came to know about it, he commended Sanjay for showing commitment to serving the country. District police chief Dr Girish Pandya too conveyed words of praise to Sanjay for having remained present on duty since March 23. He also announced a cash award for Sanjay for setting an example for other policemen.
Sanjay, while expressing great joy over the birth of his son, said serving the police force at the time of lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus was equally important. “I talk to my wife over video call and shower my love on my son. I have asked for the son’s photograph on Whatsapp and will hold him in my arms when I go home,” said Sanjay.