Cinema VinesFormer Indian Army officer Khushboo Patani, known for her outspoken activism and humanitarian efforts, has once again turned headlines by pledging to supply new school bags to students in a government school ahead of India’s Independence Day celebrations. During her visit, the former officer walked through the school, engaging with children and inspecting the bags they used to carry textbooks. She was alarmed to find many students relying on torn plastic bags and sacks, some of which were repurposed from everyday items such as pea storage.
One child, in particular, caught Khushboo’s attention: he was lugging a shredded sack that had once held peas. The sight of the child’s makeshift bag moved the former officer to promise that each student would receive a brand‑new bag in their favourite colours. She also took the opportunity to talk with the pupils about their future aspirations, asking how many were interested in careers in the Army or police force, and urging them to dream big despite the challenging conditions many face at school.
Khushboo shared a video of the visit on social media, captioning it “Bag mae takkat (Strength in the bag).” The post drew praise from followers, including actress Disha Patani, who commented, “So sweet de❤️.” Other comments expressed admiration for the initiative and urged Khushboo to visit the student protest in Jharkhand. The former officer’s active engagement with youth has become a hallmark of her public persona.
In addition to her school visit, Khushboo Patani recently attended the CJP protest in Delhi, which demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and called for reforms after the NEET paper leak controversy. Disguised with a mask and cap, she joined the protest at Jantar Mantar and later recounted on Instagram that she was beaten during a lathi‑charge as students marched toward Parliament. She described the scene: “Students were in lakhs and law enforcement was in hundreds. They could have done anything given the examples of so many protests in the world. But our Gen Z students did not raise their hands, until they were beaten badly. Some got hit on their heads and legs. Girls were beaten badly. I myself was running, I also got some of that. Everyone ran after they saw what was happening.”
Khushboo’s dual focus on educational support and civil‑rights advocacy underscores her commitment to empowering young Indians. Her recent promises to provide new school bags and her willingness to stand alongside students in protests highlight a continued effort to address both immediate needs and systemic issues within the country’s education system.
