Patil who was born and brought up in Nagothane village, Raigad dist, have learnt swimming at the age of 8. Being a child of a farmer Patil was passionate about swimming.
" I learnt swimming from my friends and neighbours from my village, though we were not a professional swimmer but during our learning process we have faced high tides and low tides which made me confident enough to swim in a situation like this" said Patil. " Everyday I use to swim at least a mile during my childhood, which gave me the stamina and also became the reason of my selection in Mumbai police in 1982," said Patil.
Knowing about his problem of high blood pressure Patil proactively choosed to jump from 20 feet in almost 50 feet deep water of Worli sea to save a life of Pujari who was committing suicide. Patils family, especially his wife Lalita was shocked and started crying when they were informed about Patils injury minor injury on his leg. " I was relieved when I saw my father lying on a chair of Worli police station," said Rakesh Gunaji Patil who is a swimming coach of Worli Police Swimming Pool and a constable of LA- 3 department.
Further Rakesh added that " my father is not a regular swimmer like me, but still he was able to resist the flow of high tide during 12: 30 pm makes me feel that he is a better swimmer than me". " I have never faced such high tide in my life while swimming, but I couldn't stop myself when I saw that women splashing around in the water and trying to stay afloat, soon after which I removed my uniform and jumped in the sea" said Patil. Nadeem Hussain a regular swimmer of YMCA said " there is difference of learning swimming in a pool and a river, those who have learnt swimming in river are not that disciplined swimmer but they know many tricks to rescue others in a high or a low tide.
By appreciating the effort of Patil, Additional Commissioner of Police Vineet Aggarwal said " Patil is a confident swimmer and a humble person who risked his life for a lady who has committed suicide". Jalpa Pujari a female who attempted suicide from worli sea link this Saturday due to on going problems between her husband and for the custody of child was saved by Gunaji Patil when worli police received a message via control room. Arup Patnaik Mumbai police Commissioner by stating it an outstanding job assured an award of Rs 30,000.
Patil was taken to the near by hospital after facing minor injuries " family of Jalpa Pujari too came to meet me in the hospital, but they didn't thanked me. I have no regrets for it as I was not doing it for any reward or thanks, at that point of time I couldn't stop myself to save her".
