Nowhere in the world will you find such an act of bravery committed by an unarmed policeman. Tukaram did it so that these terrorists could not kill many more," says Omble's closest friend Ashok Phatak, a constable attached to the Worli police station, who has stood with the family since that tragic day.
Omble's family -- his wife and daughters Pavitra, Vandana, Vaishali and Bharti -- rue the fact that nobody acknowledged Omble's courage in the first few days after the incident. They say it was Vaishali who followed up with Omble's colleagues and brought the truth in front of the media.
While the elder girls, Pavitra and Vandana, are married, and Vaishali is studying for a BEd degree, the youngest daughter Bharti is in the final year of graduation.
Bharti remains in shock say relatives. "Since his death she doesn't talk much to any of us. She has stopped going out to meet her friends in the evening," Vaishali informs her about her younger sibling.
"Every evening when my father returned home from work, he would talk to both of us. As he would leave for office early in the morning we didn't talk much then. But his evenings were reserved for both of us. He was more of a friend to us," says Vaishali as Bharti hides behind a curtain and peeps out occasionally.
"She gets scared of strangers after the incident," adds Vaishali.
Since their father's death, many strangers have visited the Omble home to express their solidarity with the slain hero's family.
"Help is pouring in from all sides," says Vaishali. "It is very overwhelming to know how much our fellow countrymen appreciate my father's act of courage."
Image: Omble's wife, Tarabai, left, with daughters Vandana and Vaishali.
Also see: Salute the brave men of D B Marg Police station
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