On Tuesday morning, just as the administrative office began functioning, an unassuming person walked in unannounced, stood across the counter and handed over his personal contribution of Rs 10,000 for the brave men who have suffered permanent disability while fighting the enemy in the Kargil operation and the earlier low intensity war in the Kashmir valley.

A journalist who was around, recognised him with a startle. He was none other than the former chief of the naval staff, retired Admiral Jayant Nadkarni. The chief reluctantly agreed to face the camera.

``I came forward to donate to the Kargil Disabled Soldiers' fund because I know what happens to these men after they are out of the service,'' said Nadkarni. ``It is all very well for the hype, but after all that is over they are left to their own devices. The allowances they get is pitiful and I know of even Victoria Cross people who are starving. Ex-servicemen are the most neglected and I felt that I should do my bit to help them.''

Two young men walked in on Wednesday afternoon, announced, with a cash collection of Rs 43,500. Moved by television reports of the jawans defending the country's borders at Kargil, Faramroze Irani decided to collect funds at Sir Dinshaw Maneckjee Petit Poona Parsee Gymkhana. A spirited drive by Irani and colleagues yielded Rs 43,500 within just four days from barely 45 contributors.

``It is a small amount, just a goodwill gesture from the Gymkhana members to the soldiers,'' says Irani. ``The collection is still on. I had no target in mind, but all the Gymkhana members to the soldiers,'' says Irani. ``The collection is still on. I had no target in mind, but all the Gymkhana members have supported this cause whole-heartedly.''

Barely had Irani and colleague Tushar Shah left the office, there entered a contingent of young activists representing Jain Social Group, Pune Dakshin, Sri Jain Samaj Seva Mandal, Bhawani Peth and Sri Sattavisa Jain Yuvak City Group led respectively by Narendra Jain, Balchand Kataria and Kantilal Oswal.

In a collection drive today from Shri Godiji Parshwanath Jain Temple to Ramoshi Gate via Fulwala Chowk, Shitaladevi Chowk, Shanu Chowk, Bhandi Aali, Mandai, Nehru Chowk, Subhansha Durgah, Govind Halwai Chowk and Palkhi Chowk, the youths netted voluntary donations totalling Rs 64,000, of which Rs 32,000 were contributed to the Kargil Disabled Soldiers' Fund of the Express Group.