By Nitin Sethi, Bollywood Trade News Bureau

That the patriotic fervor runs in Akshay's blood is no doubt. And so when he was asked to be featured on the 'Jai Jawan' programme on NDTV, Akshay was more than enthusiastic about it. Not surprising since the Jawans put so much at stake to protect the borders so that the rest can sleep peacefully. Akshay went in to the Ferozepur border in Punjab and spent one and a half days with the Jawans. Says Akshay "I had gone to Ferozepur expecting to see a lot of Punjabis there but instead I met the Maratha regiment. It was great chatting with them in Marathi."

In the evening, the Jawans watched videos of their parents, wives, and children. It was like a newsletter bringing them stories and images from the home front about their loved ones.

The heart-warming messages were so touching that some of the brave heart Jawans had tears in their misty eyes. It was quite sentimental.

Akshay was equally touched and said "whenever I go outdoor for shoots for even 10 days, I start missing my wife (Twinkle) and son (Aarav). But these brave hearts stay away from home and families for months and years at a stretch, wonder how they bear it. There's no doubt that they are tough from outside, but they are much more strong within."

Akshay also had words of praise for the for the commandos  "I met some commandos who go on suicide missions. They are the toughest commandoes on the borderline and work out 8 hours everyday to keep fit."

Besides Akshay also got involved with the Jawans with games like tug-o-war, and volleyball and enjoyed it and played in the spirit of the games. He adds, "At lunch and dinner, they served Punjabi food and whatever was served to the Jawans was served to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and hospitality. It was a huge fun festival."

Akshay, his heart swelled with pride for the Jawans, recounted, "The Jawans are the real strength of India, I salute them."

At the end of it, the Jawans did feel that the tough Akshay was one of their own. Not surprising with his increasing fan base, Akshay has been scaling meteoric heights with huge commercial hits like KHAKEE, MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI, AITRAAZ, WAQT - The Race Against Time. In fact Akshay has completed 100 films and co-incidingly his latest film WAQT-The Race Against Time completes 100 days in the box office!