After the death of Hemant Karkare, the former state anti terrorism squad (ATS) chief who was killed in a gun-battle with terrorists on November 26, a string of tribute-giving efforts began across the country. One of the most interesting is the efforts of Jayraj Salgaokar, 56, one of the managing directors of Sumangal Publishing Private Limited — the publishing company that comes out with legendary multi-lingual calendar Kalnirnay — who is putting together a book on the slain cop.

“He had touched a lot of people’s lives and transformed them. After his death, a lot was read in the print media, a lot was revealed about Karkare as a person and a police officer. I wanted to document, or chronicle rather, the facts pertaining to his life. For, I believe he was a role model and should be read across the state and country,” says Salgaokar, a postgraduate in economics from the University of Mumbai. The book, according to Salgaokar, is in its initial stages and would have compilations of accounts from Karkare’s close friends, colleagues and relatives. “We have received a good piece written on Karkare by social activist Shardha Sathe. We also expect something from Milind Kogse, a senior journalist who knew Karkare closely.”

Salgaokar remembers his meeting with the slain ATS chief at the ATS headquarters some three weeks before his untimely death. The meeting had a lasting impression on him. “He was calm and composed but was extremely busy due to the ongoing Malegaon blast case investigation. I also asked him out for dinner but he politely declined saying he was busy,” says Salgaokar.

Then came the night of horror. “I’d just gone to bed when my daughter informed me about his death. On hearing the news, I thought I would have a heart attack.” “It would be a great reading experience to know more about Hemant Karkare, aspects that are still not written about,” says Manali Pawaskar, a college student and a self-confessed “Karkare fan”.

Also according to Salgaokar, a police officer from Solapur who had worked with Karkare in the past for over six years, will be meeting Salgaokar to share his experiences with him.