UNDP Honour for Sonu Sood. Should We Name Him the Person of the Year Already?

2020 is the year where everything seems to be going wrong. In India, first came the pandemic, then the lockdown, followed by the migrant crisis that left millions of poor Indians in distress. And if there is one person in the country who has single-handedly tried to save the year, it has to be Sonu Sood. Even the United Nations Development Programme agrees.

At a virtual ceremony held on Monday evening, Sonu Sood was conferred with the prestigious SDG Special Humanitarian Action Award for his philanthropic work amid the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

Great News: @SonuSood is the chosen one for the prestigious SDG Special Humanitarian Action Award by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

— Faridoon Shahryar (@iFaridoon) September 29, 2020

In a grim, dark, and awful year that has seen the Indian media tussle with Bollywood and an endless “drug scandal” unfold, Sonu Sood has been the entertainment industry’s saving grace. The lockdown – dubbed the harshed in the world – saw Sood turn into a Covid-19 warrior helping stranded migrants to get back home. And he did not stop at that. The actor has been helping underprivileged students get access to online education by arranging smartphones for them, launched scholarships for them, and even offered aid to health workers.

Sonu Sood sends more than 40O Migrants home to U. P. Tomorrow he will be sending another 10 buses to Karnataka. He has also arranged buses to Jharkhand and Bihar.#SonuSood #MigrantLabourers pic.twitter.com/gYuB6CLGyp

— Mojo Story (@themojo_in) May 16, 2020

Hindustaan Badhega Tabhi, Jab Padhenge Sabhi!
Launching full scholarships for students for higher education.I believe,financial challenges should not stop any one from reaching their goals.Send in ur entries at scholarships@sonusood.me (in next 10 days) & I will reach out to u🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/JPBuUUF23s

— sonu sood (@SonuSood) September 12, 2020

The UNDP awarded Sood for extending a selfless helping hand to all those in need during the global crisis. “This is a rare honour,” the actor expressed his happiness and disbelief. “UN recognition is very special. I have done whatever little I have done, in my own humble way, for my fellow countrymen without any expectations. However, to be recognised and awarded feels good,” he said.

#ICYMI I Actor @SonuSood shares how helping stranded migrant workers altered his life goals. #UNDP #HumanitarianAwardhttps://t.co/XDJF61i8HD

— mint_lounge (@Mint_Lounge) September 29, 2020

Wishes poured in for Sood from friends and fans alike.

So proud of you my brother @sonusood for getting such a big honour. UNITED NATIONS is really big bhaji 🏆 https://t.co/vKdHdrQVD1 pic.twitter.com/ae5jjmUZLU

— Rajender Singh (@Rajenderpahl) September 29, 2020

Congratulations Bhai 👏👏👏@SonuSood pic.twitter.com/p0f418JJnI

— BRAHMAJI (@actorbrahmaji) September 29, 2020

Truly a pride and inspiration for many, Sonu Sood is indeed a superstar.

So proud of our REAL Superstar! Thank you for launching #LockdownLiaisons @SimonSchusterIN @SonuSood Sonu Sood bags the prestigious UN award for his humanitarian efforts | Telugu Movie News – Times of India | The Times of India https://t.co/qX20P7Kyq8

— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) September 29, 2020

Bhai You Are The Pride And Inspiration For Mankind…More Power To You…Keep Spreading Love @SonuSood 🙏💪🇮🇳https://t.co/9Dl529ihfE pic.twitter.com/cJwwCpeyeh

— Karan Gilhotra (@Karan_Gilhotra) September 29, 2020

The UNDP award puts in the same league as Angelina Jolie, Leonardo DiCaprio, David Beckham, Priyanka Chopra who have been lauded for their humanitarian work by different UN bodies.

While Sonu Sood might have received a multitude of awards for his acting, this recognition is a cut above the rest. For India, he is the person of the year, 2020.