For some time now, Bollywood actor Sonu Sood is known as much for his philanthropic activities as for his movie roles. Ever since the first Covid lockdown, when he helped thousands of migrants reach their home villages safely by providing buses, food, and money, and sourced scarce medicines for Covid patients in hospitals, the actor has reinvented himself as a philanthropist who’s just a call, SMS, or tweet away.

Every day, he is inundated with calls and messages for help, and many take to Twitter also to seek his intervention. Some of these requests for help border on weirdness, but then, in his signature style, the actor brushes them off with a witty reply, much to the delight of his millions of followers.

Since last year, he has started showing interest in career guidance also. He has ventured into the field of UPSC Civil Services Examination coaching to help the underprivileged aspirants. Through his Sood Charity Foundation (SCF), he launched Sambhavam, a free UPSC CSE coaching programme for aspirants from economically disadvantaged families.

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In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Sonu Sood explained why he took up this initiative, and shared details about it.

FOR NATION BUILDING

“India is well on its way to be a superpower soon. To keep up with the pace and build a better stronger India, the 5th largest economy in the world needs more IAS officers. Noting this, Sood Charity Foundation has launched Sambhavam 2022-23 this year again, in collaboration with Divine India Youth Association (DIYA),” Mr. Sood told Indian Masterminds.

Sambhavam is a unique programme for aspirants of civil services preparing to appear for UPSC CSE exams. As it is one of the toughest exams of India and aspirants need a lot of guidance to crack it, most of them join coaching institutes. However, not all can afford such coaching as the fees are quite high. It is for such aspirants that Mr. Sood started the Sambhavam initiative last year, and seeing its success, has relaunched it this year.

“The programme aims to provide equal opportunity to IAS aspirants from economically weaker sections preparing for IAS exams, empowering them with the best available resources to compete on a level platform,” Mr. Sood said.

ABOUT SAMBHAVAM

Under Sambhavam, selected students get free online UPSC CSE coaching at top civil services institutes in India, along with mentorship support and holistic personality development, opening new possibilities for youth empowerment and nation building.

Thousands of CSE aspirants will benefit and will be selected across India for Sambhavam 2022-23. Selected students will get online coaching for UPSC preparation from some of the best IAS coaching institutes across India.

The programme also offers holistic personality development for the selected candidates with mentorship modules, interview training, etc., from some of the finest IAS officers.

Last year, more than 2000 students benefited from the programme. This year again, the programme aims to achieve equal or more numbers. Coaching classes are going to be available in both Hindi and English mediums.

Mr. Sood said, “With Sambhavam, Sood Charity Foundation and DIYA aim to contribute to this cause and help the financially weaker sections to be able to get free coaching and have an equal chance of competing in the IAS entrance exams. With this initiative, we wish to help in building a better, stronger new India. Wishing all the aspirants good luck.”

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Aspirants can log on to Sood Charity Foundation’s website: www.soodcharityfoundation.org to register for the programme and get all relevant details. Last date for registrations is 25 September, 2022.
All applicants have to sit for an entrance test, post which, there is an interview round that can be telephonic or online. Candidates who pass are given access to free online coaching to any one of the Sood Charity Foundation’s partnered top IAS coaching institutes.

“Last year, we had close to 2 lakh registrations. This year again, the response is massive. Thousands across India will benefit from this, especially the ones from EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) or someone who lost their parent, earning member due to Covid,” Mr. Sood said.

EDUCATION CLOSE TO HIS HEART

This willingness to help the needy and provide free education to their children has been passed on to Mr. Sood by his mother. It is the legacy that she left for him. She was a professor at DM College in Moga, Punjab, where she used to teach English as well as History.

“Education is something which is very close to my heart. My mother who was a teacher used to help the needy students in whatever best way she could. She would teach them free of cost or pay for their fees or buy them books. This left a mark on me and inspired me to continue the work my mother was so fond of doing – helping the needy. This is what led me to launch Prof. Saroj Sood Scholarships dedicated to my mother,” Mr. Sood told Indian Masterminds.

36,000 STUDENTS & COUNTING

Currently, there are more than 36,000 students who are either studying under his various scholarships programmes across India or have benefited from Sood Charity Foundation’s other initiatives under the education spectrum.

Sharing his happiness at being able to help the students, Mr. Sood said, “There is no bigger joy than to see someone whom you could support a little to excel in education, career, and contribute to our nation’s progress. Everyone should try to help, if not more at least one person a day, in whatever little way they can. I always tell my team: अपने हाथ की मुट्ठी को खोल के देख, क्या पता उसमें किसी की ज़िन्दगी बदलने की लकीरे होl (Open your palm and see; who knows, maybe there’s a line there that clearly signals that you are destined to change someone’s life).”