Have I told you lately that I… am sorry

Pune Police, have a heart. Police officials in Wakad in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, are reportedly not happy at all by what they see as antics of a local businessman Nilesh Khedekar. And what may they be frowning about, enough to have them start ‘investigations’? Khedekar has put up about 300 bona fide banners and hoardings — all paid for and without causing any damage to property — of a message to his lady love asking her to forgive him. ‘Shivde, I am sorry!!’ is, from no angle, a dangerous message that threatens anyone or incite riots. And, Khedekar, whatever he may be seeking forgiveness for from his girlfriend, has been a gentleman in not proclaiming her full name. The function of the intended Shivde alone knowing that she is being asked for forgiveness has been served.

Khedekar spent Rs 72,000 overnight on Thursday so that residents of Wakad could wake up to see his message. If romantic gestures like airplane banners and placards at public events professing private emotions are thought to be more than kosher, there is no reason why Khedekar’s heartfelt — and perfectly legal and paid-for — billboard messages and banners should also not accompany sounds of ‘awwww’, so sweet’. So, all ye good policemen of Wakad, have a heart. It may not be the Taj Mahal, but Khedekar’s banners are a show of ‘laww’.