A one-man battalion with a true heart of a lion working for the Mumbai Police, Assistant Police Inspector Pravin Shakuntala Narayan Phanse’s commitment to his duty does not go unnoticed. Also known as Shahir, Phanse as a member of Kurla’s Traffic division has impacted his community and even the state of Maharashtra with his outdoor adventures as well as love for culture and heritage.
Shivrajyabhishek Day in Raigad, where his heart was stirred by Maharashtra’s legacy. Since then, he has embraced his role as a protector of not only the people but also the land. Over the years, Phanse has scaled more than 225 forts across Maharashtra, showing his deep respect for the state’s rich history. His achievements extend far beyond the plains, as he has successfully climbed three Himalayan peaks and more than 50 challenging cliffs in the Sahyadri range. Among his many daring feats, he conquered the 2,200-foot high Konkankada which lies on Harishchandragad, in the year 2008.
On environmental matters, a person practices what he preaches. Phanse has been associated with the Hariyali organization for the past 23 years and has organized numerous tree planting activities as well as led campaigns to save the environment. His concern for nature is equally true of the concern that he shows for the people surrounding him. In 2023, he organized a campaign for cleanliness at the Bhabha hospital in Kurla, because he believes the surroundings must be looked after for the sake of society.
Phanse’s patriotism when it comes to Maharashtra is not only evident through his police attire, but also through his career as a Shahir; a Marathi folk artist. On May 1, 2022, he sang a powada (a ballad) at a function which was attended by Uddhav Thackeray, Ajit Pawar and other dignitaries. This ballad was devoted to the martyrs of the 26/11 terrorists attack in Mumbai.
To be in khakhi is a matter of pride, and like every Assistant Police Inspector, Pravin Phanse who is also mountaineer and a cultural promoter is overwhelmed with pride. Albeit he has different responsibilities, he goes on to empower youngsters from Maharashtra with patriotism and the will to protect the environment.
