For Sunil Paswan, Major Akshay Girish Kumar was no less than a role model. "A friend, philosopher and guide," is how he remembers the martyred Army officer. Nicknamed Guddu, Paswan was mentored by Kumar during his college days.
"Whenever he was at home, Kumar would teach me maths," recalled Paswan who has known the family for five years now. While Paswan's mother, Rita Devi, who is the family's maid and cook, would go about her daily chores, the children were motivated and taught by Akshay's family members.
"I once told him that I wanted to make a career in event management. He told me that while there are many opportunities in the field, I would not be able to earn much. He would always ask me to pursue higher studies," Paswan said.
He spoke to DHat Kumar's house after the funeral. "Their family has been very supportive. Even his mother and sister would take time to tutor me during exams," he added.
Devi remembered Akshay as a soft-spoken and amiable person, though he was away from home most of the time. "Their family have been extremely generous. They funded the education of both my son Guddu and daughter Jyothi. They have been so affectionate. I have been working with them for five years now," she said.
When the news was broken to them, Paswan and his mother ran to the house and have been there ever since. Their gardener Birender was around when the news reached Kumar's mother Meghana.
"I heard her answer a call and break down. I figured that something was amiss. Saheb (Kumar's father) was not at home. I ran in to talk to her. Initially, she broke down and cried inconsolably. But she composed herself quickly and told me that her son was no more. We later informed his father," recalled Birender.![]( "Local residents place a portrait of Akshay at the entrance of Jade Garden, a gated community where his family lives, at Sadahalli on International Airport Road on Tuesday and pay their tributes. DH photo")
For Sunil Paswan, Major Akshay Girish Kumar was no less than a role model. "A friend, philosopher and guide,” is how he remembers the martyred Army officer. Nicknamed Guddu, Paswan was mentored by Kumar during his college days.
"Whenever he was at home, Kumar would teach me maths,” recalled Paswan who has known the family for five years now. While Paswan’s mother, Rita Devi, who is the family’s maid and cook, would go about her daily chores, the children were motivated and taught by Akshay’s family members.
"I once told him that I wanted to make a career in event management. He told me that while there are many opportunities in the field, I would not be able to earn much. He would always ask me to pursue higher studies,” Paswan said.
He spoke to DH at Kumar’s house after the funeral. "Their family has been very supportive. Even his mother and sister would take time to tutor me during exams,” he added.
Devi remembered Akshay as a soft-spoken and amiable person, though he was away from home most of the time. "Their family have been extremely generous. They funded the education of both my son Guddu and daughter Jyothi. They have been so affectionate. I have been working with them for five years now,” she said.
When the news was broken to them, Paswan and his mother ran to the house and have been there ever since. Their gardener Birender was around when the news reached Kumar’s mother Meghana.
"I heard her answer a call and break down. I figured that something was amiss. Saheb (Kumar’s father) was not at home. I ran in to talk to her. Initially, she broke down and cried inconsolably. But she composed herself quickly and told me that her son was no more. We later informed his father,” recalled Birender.
"Whenever he was at home, Kumar would teach me maths," recalled Paswan who has known the family for five years now. While Paswan's mother, Rita Devi, who is the family's maid and cook, would go about her daily chores, the children were motivated and taught by Akshay's family members.
"I once told him that I wanted to make a career in event management. He told me that while there are many opportunities in the field, I would not be able to earn much. He would always ask me to pursue higher studies," Paswan said.
He spoke to DHat Kumar's house after the funeral. "Their family has been very supportive. Even his mother and sister would take time to tutor me during exams," he added.
Devi remembered Akshay as a soft-spoken and amiable person, though he was away from home most of the time. "Their family have been extremely generous. They funded the education of both my son Guddu and daughter Jyothi. They have been so affectionate. I have been working with them for five years now," she said.
When the news was broken to them, Paswan and his mother ran to the house and have been there ever since. Their gardener Birender was around when the news reached Kumar's mother Meghana.
"I heard her answer a call and break down. I figured that something was amiss. Saheb (Kumar's father) was not at home. I ran in to talk to her. Initially, she broke down and cried inconsolably. But she composed herself quickly and told me that her son was no more. We later informed his father," recalled Birender.
For Sunil Paswan, Major Akshay Girish Kumar was no less than a role model. "A friend, philosopher and guide,” is how he remembers the martyred Army officer. Nicknamed Guddu, Paswan was mentored by Kumar during his college days."Whenever he was at home, Kumar would teach me maths,” recalled Paswan who has known the family for five years now. While Paswan’s mother, Rita Devi, who is the family’s maid and cook, would go about her daily chores, the children were motivated and taught by Akshay’s family members.
"I once told him that I wanted to make a career in event management. He told me that while there are many opportunities in the field, I would not be able to earn much. He would always ask me to pursue higher studies,” Paswan said.
He spoke to DH at Kumar’s house after the funeral. "Their family has been very supportive. Even his mother and sister would take time to tutor me during exams,” he added.
Devi remembered Akshay as a soft-spoken and amiable person, though he was away from home most of the time. "Their family have been extremely generous. They funded the education of both my son Guddu and daughter Jyothi. They have been so affectionate. I have been working with them for five years now,” she said.
When the news was broken to them, Paswan and his mother ran to the house and have been there ever since. Their gardener Birender was around when the news reached Kumar’s mother Meghana.
"I heard her answer a call and break down. I figured that something was amiss. Saheb (Kumar’s father) was not at home. I ran in to talk to her. Initially, she broke down and cried inconsolably. But she composed herself quickly and told me that her son was no more. We later informed his father,” recalled Birender.