Sonu Sood Reaches The Top Spot In A List Of “50 Asian Celebrities In The World 2020”
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The philanthropic and heroic actor went out of his way to help migrant workers out during the Coronavirus pandemic. For his incredible efforts, Sonu was recognized and praised by politicians, new outlets and the common man. Now, he has been acknowledged for his philanthropic efforts on a global scale. Sonu Sood received the top position on a list of 50 Asian Celebrities In The World for a UK based newspaper, Eastern Eye. The actor graciously accepted the awards and shared a statement. Read on to know what he said and how his fans reacted:
Philanthropic Acts
Sonu is known for his humble attitude towards life and has been extremely active and dutiful in helping out those who were less fortunate. Along with his friends, he helped migrant workers return home and stay well fed. Addressing his followers after he received the position on the paper, he released a statement saying, “Thank you, Eastern Eye, for recognizing my efforts. As the pandemic broke, I realized it was my duty to help my countrymen, it was an instinct that came from within. Eventually, this was something I came to Mumbai for, it was my responsibility as an Indian which I did and I won’t stop till my last breath.”
Sonu has taken a lot of efforts to reach out to people during the pandemic and help out as many people as he possibly can. The actor first opened the doors of his Juhu hotel to lodge COVID-19 healthcare workers, para medical staff and nurses. Sonu referred to them as real time heroes. Taking into consideration the fact that so many people were struggling to get meals, Sonu started a food drive in Mumbai in April that aimed to feed forty five thousand people from the city. The initiative paid respect to Sonu’s father, and he named it “Shakti Annadanam” after his father, Shakti Sagar Sood.
Helping From All Sides
Sonu also helped migrant workers return to their hometowns from the city of Mumbai. Many migrants had lost their lives trying to walk back the thousands of kilometers home. As a migrant to the city of Mumbai himself, Sonu could relate to their need of returning to their hometowns and families. Due to the unplanned lockdown, many migrant workers were left with no source of income to pay for food or even rent. Many wanted to return home to their families and to find work in their own hometowns. Unfortunately, they suffered a lot of pain while returning home and many were even duped and tricked out of their remainder money. Sonu persuaded a couple of migrants from Karnataka to wait and return home in busses rather than attempt to make the ridiculously lengthy walk themselves. Sonu got their medicals cleared and contacted the governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka. With the help of the state’s government, Sonu helped arrange for the busses for these migrants to return home.
Sonu introduced a toll-free number so that migrants could directly reach out to him and his staff. Migrant workers from Odisha, Assam, Jharkhand, and Bihar were all able to return to their hometowns thanks to Sonu Sood. Around the time of his 47th Birthday, Sonu also launched an application called ‘Pravasi Rojgar’ to provide employment opportunities to migrant workers across the country. Sonu had also helped arrange for a chartered flight for Indian students that were stuck in the city of Kyrgyzstan. Sonu had released a statement on Twitter informing the students how they can get in touch with him. Sonu Sood has also placed some of his properties on mortgage in order to raise money for the needy. He has mortgaged the properties that are located in Juhu including six flats and two shops. The actor has done this in order to raise the amount of 10 crores to help those who are less fortunate.
It truly is wonderful to see Sonu Sood get the recognition and appreciation he deserves after all the effort he has put into helping those less fortunate. We hope that more people choose to follow his lead and help out whenever they can and in whichever way they can as well. While the actor does have to also deal with his fair share of pranks pulled by those trolls with endless free time to waste on the internet, he does not let it deter his efforts towards creating a better society. As individuals we should all attempt to look up to Sonu Sood and help in his efforts from the smallest of levels. It could be as easy as providing shelter to stray animals during the rain. How do you try and help make the world a better place? Do let us know all of your thoughts in the comment section below.
