A video of a 19-year-old boy running from his workplace to his home 10km away in the middle of the night to keep fit to join the military has received huge social media recognition. After the video of Almora resident Pradeep Mehra, recorded by journalist and filmmaker Vinod Kapri, surfaced on social media, several former army officers and others contributed to helping the teen achieve his dream.
The video shows Pradeep running around midnight on a city road with a small bag over his shoulder and a cell phone in his hand.
When Pradeep is offered a ride to his house in a car, Pradeep declines help, saying he runs about 10km from Sector 16 (workplace) to his home in Barola every night to train himself to join the military physically.
When asked why he is running, Pradeep says: “To join the army”.
Watch 19-year-old midnight runner from Almora, Pradeep Mehra inspires many.
Shared by filmmaker and former journalist Vinod Kapri, this video of a young man has been viewed more than 10 million times on the microblogging site Twitter. Pradeep Mehra, a 19-year-old midnight runner from Almora, repeatedly declines Vinod Kapri’s offer to drive home. The reason he gave for the midnight run has inspired many. Watch.
“In the morning, I have to go to work and cook dinner,” he reportedly says in the video, adding that his mother is in a hospital in Almora while he stays in Noida with his older brother, who works in a company during the night shifts. Works.
When the filmmaker told him that the music video would go viral, Pradeep replied, “Who will recognize it?”
“At least I’m not doing anything wrong,” he added.
The clip Kapri shared on Twitter on Sunday evening received more than 75,000 retweets, 11,000 quote tweets, and nearly 2.50 lakh likes. The clip has since been shared by several other people, including celebrities, on social media.
His Josh is commendable, and to help him pass the recruitment tests on his merits, I have been in touch with Colonel van K… https://t.co/PH4bR7Ukfk
— Lieutenant General Satish Dua🇮🇳 (@TheSatishDua) 1647847085000 Kapri tweeted in Hindi: “Last night at noon on the road in Noida, I saw this boy running very fast with a bag on his shoulder. I thought he was in something problem and therefore offered him a ride. I repeatedly offered him a ride, but he refused. The reason would make you fall in love with this child.”
As the post went viral, several social media users offered Pradeep financial support, while many were overwhelmed by his efforts.
Lieutenant General (retired) Satish Dua tweeted: “His Josh is commendable, and to help him pass the recruitment tests on his merits, I have been in contact with Colonel of the KUMAON Regiment, Lieutenant General Rana Kalita, the Commander of the eastern army. It was necessary to train the boy for enlistment in his regiment. Jai Hind.”
Surprisingly happy to see Generals joining in to help #PradeepMehra after @vinodkapri shot the boy’s passionate video.… https://t.co/D9Fokg9m3k
— Major DP Singh (@MajDPSingh) 1647862221000 Major (retired) DP Singh tweeted: “Surprisingly happy to see generals come to help” #PradeepMehra after @vinodkapri shot the boy’s passionate video. I would also urge them to help thousands of others like him who are working hard across India; Covid has delayed recruitment meetings.”“
