I have known Sunny since our early school days. From the very beginning, people were drawn to his positive demeanor and optimistic outlook on life. To me, he’s more than just a friend; I consider him a brother.

We both shared a deep sense of patriotism, which ultimately led us to join the army after completing our undergraduate studies. I still vividly remember the day we received our confirmation letters. While our families were devastated, Sunny and I stood firm in our decision. His mother, in tears, pleaded with him to reconsider, fearing for his safety. We reassured her that nothing would happen to her “sweet little boy” and that this was a noble cause. Little did we know what fate had in store for him.

Five years later, during a border conflict with terrorists, Sunny lost both his left leg and arm. A sense of guilt weighed heavily on me. I felt responsible for what had happened to him. That experience, coupled with my own struggles, led me to leave the army and pursue psychology at MG University. The Sunny who returned home was a different man—a man shattered by the broken promise he had made to his mother. He couldn’t even look her in the eye.

This was a time when facilities for the specially abled were scarce. There was inadequate infrastructure, minimal support in stores, and even something as basic as adaptive clothing was hard to find. Sunny’s biggest concern was his mother. At her age, she had to physically care for him, which left him feeling uncomfortable, angry, and helpless. “Isn’t there anything I get for sacrificing my leg for this country?” he’d yell in frustration.

Around that time, Reliance Trends, in partnership with Target, organized a conference in Mumbai for therapists who worked with people with disabilities. It was there that I was introduced to the concept of adaptive clothing. The idea struck me as revolutionary. I shared Sunny’s story, along with the experiences of other war veterans, with Arun Roy, the then Head of Sales at Target India. Arun was not only empathetic but also proactive. He even offered to visit Sunny in person, an offer I couldn’t refuse.

When Arun and his designer visited Sunny’s home, they took the time to understand his unique challenges. They measured him carefully and promised to create clothing that would restore his independence. A week later, Sunny received a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, along with instructions on how to wear them. “I can’t believe how relieved I am, Raj! I don’t have to burden my mother anymore. I’m finally free!” Sunny’s voice over the phone was full of joy, a stark contrast to the man who had been so weighed down by his circumstances.

Inspired by this success, I reached out to the Army Hospital in Navi Mumbai and arranged a meeting between their managing director and Arun. Since then, Target has played a pivotal role in helping disabled war veterans in India regain their sense of freedom and dignity.In a world where so many brands claim to care, Target has genuinely made a difference. They’ve taken a significant step toward creating a more inclusive, compassionate world, and for that, I believe they deserve recognition.