Exclusive: "Besides me, my brother is also protecting the nation, and I am proud of him," says Urmila Nimbalkar on IPS officer Vaibhav Nimbalkar

This year Raksha Bandhan marks on August 22. On this auspicious occasion, sisters tie Rakhi on their brothers' fists and pray for their long life. Actress Urmila Nimbalkar also wished for the same for her IPS brother Vaibhav Nimbalkar on this day, who is serving the country. Vaibhav, who has been posted in Assam-Mizoram border, recently sustained an injury while in the line of duty, and today in an exclusive chat with Etimes TV, his dear sister Urmila spoke about celebrating Raksha Bandhan away from her brother, his duty, and much more...

The clashes in Assam and Mizoram border escalated recently. Six policemen from the Assam Police Force were killed in a clash in Kachar district on the Assam border and Urmila's brother Vaibhav sustained bullet injury. Talking about it, Urmila said, "I was pregnant when I learned about the attack. Nobody at home was telling me anything but I sensed that something is wrong. I could also sense that my husband too was hiding something from me. Later, upon my relentless requests, they told me everything that was happening. They told that Vaibhav was injured and sustained by bullets. He still has shrapnels on his skin. I did not even have any idea how and where the bullet has hit him. I was shattered when I got to know. We started praying for him and we prayed so hard for him. I somewhere had strong intuitions that nothing has happened to him and he can't leave us like this, and that's what happened. I feel if you feel negative, then the negative energy spreads around you, and on the other hand, positive energy always give you strength and spread positivity too."

Urmila misses her brother Vaibhav Nimbalkar on every Raksha Bandhan, but she doesn't complain as he is serving the nation. Urmila said, "You know, he is my elder brother and, on every Raksha-Bandhan, I miss him and his company a lot. I do send Rakhi and a note to him, and he also asks me what I want. I don't have any complaints that I don't get a chance to celebrate Raksha Bandhan the way everyone does. My brother is protecting many families, and that's the reason everyone can celebrate Raksha Bandhan more peacefully."

Talking about remembering the last Raksha Bandhan she celebrated with him, she said, "I don't even remember when was the last time we celebrated Raksha Bandhan. All I could remember are our childhood days when we used to celebrate Rakhi. Me and my brother never fought. The neighbours would always tell my parents that their kids fight a lot, and parents would wonder why their kids don't fight. The thing is, me and my brother are completely opposite. He is so quiet and introverted, and I am so talkative.

Urmila got teary eyed and said, "Six policemen from the Assam force were martyred in the clash. During the clash, my brother went on the frontline and fought hard. The six officers who unfortunately died there were so close to my brother. He told me that he was crying hard looking at them. At times, I become more emotional after seeing his wounds. He is in pain, but he never shows it. He spreads happiness everywhere with his presence and performs his duty honestly."

"I am proud of my brother. Apart from performing his duties, he spreads awareness in Assam and Mizoram on relevant issues. He is an inspiration to me. I miss him so much. I know I could not be with him on this special occasion, but my brother is there and alive, and that's enough for me. That's the only celebration for me." (With tears in her eyes the actress proudly quoted)

- Interview by Vaishnavi Gavankar