Ludhiana: Boy selling socks gets enrolled in school; aid of Rs 2 lakh given to family

LUDHIANA: Acting on the directions of Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Ludhiana deputy commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma, on Wednesday, got 11-year-old Vansh Singh, whose video of selling socks on Ludhiana roads to support his family had gone viral, admitted into Government Senior Secondary Smart School, PAU.
The deputy commissioner also handed over a cheque of Rs 2 lakh to the boy’s father Paramjit Singh in the presence of his mother Rani.
The DC got Vansh’s elder brother Mannat Singh admitted into 10th class in the same school.
Speaking on the occassion, Sharma said that both children have immense potential in making the country and state feel proud by scaling new heights in their lives.
He also said that the young boys could be a source of inspiration of their peers.
Extending best wishes to both, Sharma expressed hope that the boys would script a new success story in the future.
The DC also appealed to Vansh's father Paramjit and mother Rani to ensure both boys complete their studies in the school.
Ssocial activist Keemti Rawal said, "It is really a great gesture on the part of the CM and the administration to help this boy and his family."
There are hundreds of children in Ludhiana alone who are forced to work in young age and shun studies due to their family circumstances and therefore government also needs to start a permanent initiative wherein a committee should be formed in every district whose task should be to identify such cases and extend all possible help to the families, he added.
On May 7, moved by the plight of Vansh, Amarinder Singh had made a video call to Vansh and announced full government support in his education, besides Rs 2 lakh in immediate assistance for the family.
The CM, who spoke to Vansh after seeing his video of refusing a car occupant’s offer of Rs 50 extra, over and above the cost of socks, said he was impressed by the boy’s self-esteem and dignity.