There’s no dearth of hardworking people in this world. We just need to find them, tell their stories, inspire the world, and give hope to the broken and hopeless.
This 19-year-old boy is struggling through his present to create the future of his dreams.
A video that is spreading like wildfire on social media shows this boy Pradeep Mehra, from Uttarakhand, sprinting on a road in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida, reported India Today.
Among many who saw this lad running back home every day was filmmaker Vinod Kapri who was driving past the same road. On watching the boy drenched in sweat, Kapri offered him a lift. However, the boy politely refused it. Kapri was intrigued by his dedication and wanted to know more about him. Hence, he asked Pradeep why is he running 10 km at midnight every day. He said, “Otherwise I don’t get time to run.”
Pradeep informed that he wakes up early to cook his meal and then goes off to work. The reason he chooses to run back home in Barola at night is that he wants to join the army. Hence, he is preparing for it.
When the filmmaker offered to have dinner with him, he responded, “I will go home and cook. My elder brother will stay hungry overwise. He is doing the night shift.”
“Let me please drop you home,” Kapri insisted. However, the boy denied saying, “I’ll go like this, otherwise my running will get ruined. This is my everyday routine.”
This is PURE GOLD❤️❤️
नोएडा की सड़क पर कल रात 12 बजे मुझे ये लड़का कंधे पर बैग टांगें बहुत तेज़ दौड़ता नज़र आया
मैंने सोचा
किसी परेशानी में होगा , लिफ़्ट देनी चाहिएबार बार लिफ़्ट का ऑफ़र किया पर इसने मना कर दिया
वजह सुनेंगे तो आपको इस बच्चे से प्यार हो जाएगा ❤️😊 pic.twitter.com/kjBcLS5CQu
— Vinod Kapri (@vinodkapri) March 20, 2022
People online were impressed by the young man’s determination who stays with his younger brother and ailing mother who is currently hospitalized.
Salute to sheer resolve & determination!!! 👏👏👏👏👏🙏
— manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) March 21, 2022
16 MacDonald regular jaana hota hai next time jaunga ko bhai ko best wishes dekar aana to banta hai.
— Vibhash Mishra 🏹 (@AapVibhash) March 20, 2022
Running or even plain walking daily has innumerable health benefits. In today’s world of sedentary lifestyle and consumption of processed food, this young man shows the way ahead for a more fit & healthier YOU. Lets hope we all get inspired by him.
— Commissioner, Health, GoK (@Comm_dhfwka) March 20, 2022
The future of our country is in great hands. Blessing to this kid 🙏
— BADSHAH (@Its_Badshah) March 20, 2022
Dreaming big and working hard👏! This 19 year old 'runs' home post his work shift as he dreams to be in the Army! #MondayMotivation at it's best! #PradeepMehra https://t.co/J0J4DHs2mo
— German Embassy India (@GermanyinIndia) March 21, 2022
Inspiring…all the best #Pradeep 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/Y1YMQBV5jW
— Sai Dharam Tej (@IamSaiDharamTej) March 21, 2022
❤️ #JaiHind The heroes of today. https://t.co/iasq8rD7Qd
— Adivi Sesh (@AdiviSesh) March 21, 2022
Pradeep, Wherever you are – sending lots of love and best wishes! 😍 https://t.co/6yg9qpTpIr
— Kajal Aggarwal (@MsKajalAggarwal) March 21, 2022
Amazing young man this ❤️ https://t.co/SFpEk1DCJc
— KTR (@KTRTRS) March 20, 2022
Soo pure, not expecting anything from anyone, not complaining about his struggles, only just thinking about his future. Rare quality, thank you for sharing ✌✌. #KaranKundrra #KKundrraSquad #tejRan https://t.co/5kPcbnK75J
— Karan Kundrra (toxic when u demean him✌) (@Thulasi05182175) March 21, 2022
Some came in support of him.
His Josh is commendable, and to help him pass the recruitment tests on his merit, I've interacted with Colonel of KUMAON Regiment, Lt Gen Rana Kalita, the Eastern Army Commander. He is doing the needful to train the boy for recruitment into his Regiment.
Jai Hind 🇮🇳 https://t.co/iasbkQvvII— Lt Gen Satish Dua🇮🇳 (@TheSatishDua) March 21, 2022
Am happy to offer any support young Pradeep needs to fulfil his dream. Do let me know @vinodkapri if one can be of any help.🙏
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 21, 2022
We wud love to offer him free training at India’s best armed forces training acadmey @Academy_Minerva @minervapunjabfc any contact details ??😊✊🏽🇮🇳❤️
— Ranjit Bajaj (@THE_RanjitBajaj) March 21, 2022
After his video went viral, Kapri tried to get in touch with Mehra. When he was told that people are lauding his dedication and showering him support he said, “It’s okay that I went viral. I am not doing anything wrong. I am just running around. A lot of people from my village are calling me and saying ‘bhai tuney toh aag laga di’.”
#PradeepMehra ( स्कूल रिकॉर्ड में पुष्कर मेहरा ) से अभी 11 बजे पूरा काम करने के बाद @McDonalds में मुलाक़ात हुई।
उसे बता दिया गया है कि देश उसे कितना प्यार दे रहा है। एक बर्गर तो बनता है ❤️ https://t.co/Qf65Eql5Au pic.twitter.com/WOD3DTLjvg
— Vinod Kapri (@vinodkapri) March 20, 2022
He is truly an inspiration for many and our army definitely needs people like him.