'Messiah of Migrants' Sonu Sood honoured with Special Humanitarian Action Award by UN

Mumbai: Sonu Sood, who has been nicknamed the 'messiah of migrants' for helping stranded laborers reach their homes during the coronavirus induced lockdown, has been conferred with the prestigious SDG Special Humanitarian Action Award by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The award was presented to Sood at a virtual ceremony on Monday, September 28.

The actor has been chosen for the distinction due to his tireless efforts to send lakhs of migrants and stranded students back to their homes.

Sood has also been providing free education and medical facilities to young children and has been creating free employment opportunities for those who lost their livelihoods during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notably, the actor recently launched an initiative to provide full scholarships for higher education to students facing financial challenges.

Sood has expressed his happiness at being chosen for the distinction and said he fully supports the UNDP in its endeavors. Terming this as a "rare honour", Sood said that the UN recognition is "very special."

Sood said that he has done whatever little he has done in his own humble way for his fellow countrymen without any expectations. However, to be recognized and awarded feels good, he said.

The 'Dabangg' star said that he "fully supports" the UNDP in its endeavours to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. "Planet Earth and mankind will greatly benefit from the implementation of these goals," he added.

Sood joins the likes of Angelina Jolie, David Beckham, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Priyanka Chopra who have been similarly honored by different UN bodies for their humanitarian efforts.

The actor has been lauded across the nation for his continued efforts to help people whose lives have been upended by the deadly pandemic in one way or the other.

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