Ludhiana: ‘Bhelpuri’ boy goes back to school, courtesy Sonu Sood

LUDHIANA: July 30 is a special day for Bollywood actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood, as it is his birthday. But from now, it will also be a special date for the Ludhiana family who had been struggling hard to earn a living.
After the TOI highlighted the plight of nine-year-old Ranjot Singh Jodha, who sells bhelpuri to feed his family a two-square meal after the death of his father, Sonu arranged for the education of the boy and his two sisters and a job for his mother.
On Thursday, sharing the TOI’s news report, Sonu posted on his official Twitter handle, “Tell Ranjot and his sisters that they don’t need to sell bhelpuri anymore. I have got their admission done in a school and job for their mother. They will have a new life starting tomorrow.” Sonu’s friend Anirudh Gupta, CEO of the DCM Group of Schools, has adopted Ranjot and his sisters for their education and also given a job to their mother in the institute.
On July 26, the TOI had reported about Ranjot, whose father had died about five months ago due to a cardiac arrest. He and his two sisters, aged 11 and six, had to quit studies as they could not afford a smartphone. To help his family, Ranjot started selling bhelpuri outside a liquor vend near Jalandhar Bypass.

Following the TOI news report, Chandigarh-based philanthropist and founder of Plaksha University, Karan Gilhotra, who is also a friend of Sonu, contacted the TOI to help Ranjot and his family. After discussion with Sonu and Anirudh, they offered to provide education to the children and a job to their mother Komal.
On Friday, Ranjot and Komal visited DCM Presidency School and met Anirudh. Sonu and Karan also joined them through a video call.
Anirudh said, “Our school is adopting Ranjot and his sisters for their education and we have given them smartphones along with some books and stationery. We will first give their mother training and then she can join here. We want to groom them a little bit before admitting them. However, if somehow they do not feel comfortable here, we will bear the expenses of their education, books and uniform wherever they wish to study.”

In the video call, Sonu thanked Anirudh for offering help and while interacting with Ranjot he said, “You don’t have to sell bhelpuri now. Study hard, Ranjot, and fulfil dreams of your parents.”
In reply Ranjot thanked Sonu and also wished him a happy birthday.
A visibly happy Ranjot said, “I will study now and become a police officer.”
Ranjot’s teary-eyed mother said, “I cannot thank Sonu Sood and Anirudh Gupta enough. They are angels sent by Waheguru for us. Sonu ji's birthday is more special to me now.”
Anirudh said, “We are celebrating the 75th anniversary of DCM Group of Schools this year. I was glad when Sonu and Karan approached me for this cause. Our organization has already been into community outreach programmes like adopting green belts, teaching slum children and providing vocational training to girls.”