'Seva’ Should Become A Part Of Everyone’s Life: Sonu Sood
What is the vision of your charity foundation?
My vision for the Sood Charity Foundation is to connect people, and make it a platform where people come together to help those in need. At the Sood Foundation, we now have hundreds and thousands of volunteers who were helped during the Covid pandemic by the people that I had sent to their homes. They have now become a part of our volunteer group. These people came forward and said they would deliver oxygen concentrators, and some noble guy on a bicycle would deliver it to a remote village. In essence, we made it possible for help to reach those in need.
How did you think of starting it?
I wanted to help people across various sectors and I never knew how it would work before the pandemic, so I was doing everything on my own. Suddenly the scale became so big that people advised me that for a longer vision I would have to start a foundation. I was doing various brand endorsements and I told them I don't want any fees, just help me by saving a patient or educating someone instead. Then hundreds of universities, teachers and doctors came forward and became a part of the mission.
What is the focus of your charity?
The Sood Charity Foundation was started with a mission and vison to help everyone. We don't want to limit our focus to only one aspect, which is why it will cater to people who need help with education, health, employment and empowerment.
Children should be taught the concept of ‘seva’ or giving back to society. Your view...
I would say every child should be taught the concept of ‘seva’. There is a focus on giving back to the community and society across the world. I believe, it should become a part of everyone’s life and people should feel it is their responsibility to be giving back to society.
Tell us about a campaign that is close to your heart.
The campaign that is very close to my heart is Professor Saroj Sood Scholarship. My mother who was a professor believed that educating someone is a special gift.
So, I started it to honour her belief, and today we have got close to 17,000 students in different parts of the country.
What can we expect to see from SCF in the next couple of years?
In the next couple of years, we plan to open skill development centres for women. We also plan to support hospitals and schools. We have identified areas in Punjab, Mangalore, Nagpur and Shivdi where the schools will be situated. As a part of this, we also plan to provide accommodation, especially to homeless children and to those who have lost their parents during Covid. The idea is that no one should miss out on education, no matter where they are.
Your favourite quote…
My favourite quote is by Robert Frost, it was also my mother’s favourite. “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.”
