CM announces 'Desh ka Mentor' prog, Sonu Sood will be brand ambassador
New Delhi: Actor Sonu Sood, who shot to fame after arranging resources to help migrant workers during the first lockdown, will now be the brand ambassador of the AAP-led Delhi government's 'Desh ka Mentor' programme aimed at providing guidance to students on career choices, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday at a press conference with the actor.
The announcement was made after a meeting between Kejriwal and Sood. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP leader Raghav Chadha were also present at the meeting.
The programme will help students of Delhi government-run schools find a mentor who will help them unlock their potential. Children will find answers to their career-related questions through mentors who sign up to be a part of the programme, the chief minister said while announcing it.
Under the 'Desh Ke Mentor' initiative, a mentor will have to take out 10 minutes every week to guide students.
"We have worked very hard to transform Delhi government's schools. Now we want to make education a people's revolution. When young people across the country join our education revolution, no one will be able to stop India from becoming a global leader. We are delighted to have on board Sonu Sood who has inspired lakhs of youth across the country with his selfless services to the nation," CM Kejriwal said.
Sood, sitting next to the CM, appealed to citizens across the country to step forward and support children's education and take the nation to a brighter tomorrow. He said, "In our time, we were pushed into either one of engineering or medical. We didn't know better either and didn't have anyone to guide us about the opportunities. I did engineering. But now, we have the chance to guide students and help them."
"High quality education for all children, whether rich or poor, is the key to a brighter future for the country. We need to come together and do our share for nation-building. I urge the youth of India to become a part of Desh ka Mentor," Sood said.
Significantly, there was speculation that Sood might join the AAP ahead of Punjab assembly polls next year, but Kejriwal and Sood both said that no discussions around politics were held between them at the meeting on Friday. "We just discussed this programme and no political discussions were held," Kejriwal told reporters at a joint press conference with Sood.
The 47-year-old actor catapulted to the national spotlight for helping migrant workers reach their home states during the nationwide lockdown last year. He also helped people during the second wave of COVID-19 and has throughout the pandemic helped in various humanitarian aid initiatives.
