– Satyakam Ray
I am no Messiah. The book published by Penguin showcases Bollywood actor Sonu Sood’s generosity during the COVID-19 pandemic. It serves as a guiding stone on ethics and people skills. The badass silver-screen villain is well-spoken and kind-hearted. His heart melts at the hardships migrants face. He also feels deeply for patients suffering from oxygen deprivation. His service during the pandemic was profound. His stories of humanitarian work are featured in school textbooks in Andhra Pradesh. They are included in the ethics lesson. He got the U.N.
Development Programme’s SDG Action Award for the same reason.
The question arises: Is Sonu Sood a messiah? The answer is yes. In Christianity, the Messiah is described as someone holy. This person performs godly work to help people in need. They also work for the good of society. In Judaism, where the term originated, a messiah is someone who provides extraordinary service to humanity. This happens during times of distress. The Messiah comes as a savior when the victim has no hope. He’s like the last hope. If Sonu Sood is not the actual bodily incarnation of the mythical messiah, then he’s incredibly respected among us.
Almost all religions use the concept of angels, who come as a ray of hope for the distressed. Their hearts are pure, full of love and generosity. The general people can also be angels in times of need. History is the witness to such events.
During the first lockdown in 2020, all of India was comfortably locked inside its homes. Meanwhile, lakhs of migrant laborers paid the price for the unplanned national event. A lack of money, food, and employment forced these laborers to return to their native places. They walked thousands of kilometers with their luggage and babies in tow. The lack of clarity and ignorance made them do so on many occasions.
Nevertheless, it was a human tragedy of mass migration, probably the biggest after the partition of India. Here enters the messiah Sonu Sood.
He could have sat in his comfortable apartment in Mumbai with his family. Most Indian households were watching the Ramayana at the time. He chose to step out, despite the fear of contracting the coronavirus.
While distributing food packets to migrant laborers, he learned about the plight of migrant workers returning home. Despite trying hard to convince them to stay, Sonu Sood had no choice but to send them home safely. The buses were arranged, all the sanitation work was done quickly, and the group was dispatched in no time. Soon, the one-time “service” off work became a routine for Sonu Sood. He used other means of transport, like trains and airplanes, to send the migrant workers home. In the future, a case study on the “Ghar-bhejo” program should be included in academic courses. Sonu Sood conducted this program during the first wave. It should be incorporated into the B-school curriculum.
Like Facebook and Twitter, his social media accounts became the hub for S.O.S. calls. The actor and his team graciously ensured that no one was left unattended. Some asked him strange but funny questions on Twitter. But the actor had a cheeky answer to such requests. The humane approach made him the Indian Santa Claus! The resources galvanized by the actor were phenomenal, mainly due to calls, video calls, and connections. In this initiative, many people joined the Sonu Sood group directly or indirectly, following their inner voices. The chain of service includes many bureaucrats, doctors, hospitals, and celebrities who generously donate their time to support the cause. The volunteers shared their support in every possible way to help the actor. The actor’s late mother inspired the Sonu Sood Foundation. It is a unique philanthropy organization. It provides medical assistance to those in need. The foundation also supports students pursuing their educational goals through scholarships and coaching.
The actor again trended on Twitter during the second wave of the pandemic. He worked as an amplifier of patients’ S.O.S. calls. He made efforts to help them find beds, ventilators, oxygen cylinders, or even to lend money for the moratorium. The saga of service stories is endless. History will tell us how many people benefited from a single person’s zeal and nobility. Patients who have been cured or their relatives will tell you about the messiah they encountered. People will remember him forever. One question arises in the mind. If a single person can achieve all these tasks single-handedly with limited power and resources, imagine the impact. A centralized effort could reach even more. If an individual can do so much with limited resources, think about the potential of coordinated efforts. Consider what the central government could do. They have unlimited reach. They have the absolute power to alleviate the suffering of COVID-19 victims.
The actor is busy constructing hospitals with ample oxygen plants. Many skeptics question Sonu Sood’s intentions behind his exemplary service. Many give their verdict on the same issue. They believe the actor is interested in pursuing a political career. They say this is his first tactic. The actor dismisses such a ridiculous accusation and emphasizes his intention not to enter politics. Many were in disbelief at the statement. But even if Sonu Sood enters politics, that would be a welcome step in today’s otherwise bleak landscape. If this is a Publicity stunt for his movies, it’s also OK. The actor can get nice ads for promotion. He can also get good movie roles. This is acceptable as long as he provides service selflessly.
Recent allegations of tax evasion have emerged. Subsequent tax raids on the actors’ homes have further raised questions about the individuals involved. Still, many questions remain unanswered. Until everything clears up, it’s essential to give the actor the advantage of the doubt. Many claim the tax raids are vendettas against him. He is supposedly close to the A.A.P. party.
In many parts of the country, fans have set up temples dedicated to actor Amitabh Bachchan. Similarly, actor Sonu Sood is worshiped in a village in India for his philanthropic work. Sonu Sood might be seen as a messiah, an angel, or a noble human being. He could even be just a tax evader. Regardless, Sonu Sood will live in every Indian’s heart for a very long time. That’s a fact. We don’t need to honor the mortal. It would be superb for humanity and for India if we imbibe some of his virtues and wisdom and act.
The Witty Stride 