TOI honours heroes of Zirakpur

Zirakpur: On Sunday, TOI honoured social workers who brought issues of their housing societies to the attention of the MC and contributed to solving some of the problems.

Sonu Sethi | owner, sethi dhaba

A businessman by profession but a social worker at heart, Sonu has contributed a lot of money for public welfare and saved many lives by running two ambulances. “I saw two youths die in accident in front of my dhaba eight years ago. I pleaded with people to help and when no one came forward, I stood there helpless until I say the light leave their eyes. Since then, I count only on self to take action,” Sonu said. He plans to launch a tree plantation campaign in Zirakpur.

Navjit Singh | telecom engineer

The man who manages Gujarat region for his company is an RTI (Right To Information) activist for seven years. He helps people secure details and certificates from the Zirakpur Municipal Council. “The VIP Road was an even worse place a few years ago,” he said. “My late father inspired me to strive to improve its state. I stay away from fancy designations and organizations to be able to work at the grassroots level. I don’t make my living from social work.”

Ravi Kumar Sharma | runs interior design business

Business and civic leadership go hand in hand for Ravi. From helping senior citizens carry vegetables to organizing blood donation camps, he has done all. The exploitation of passengers by auto-rickshaw drivers near a superstore motivated him to plan a free e-rickshaw service for women, children, and senior citizens. “Auto-rickshaws on the VIP roads charge Rs 100 to drop people from the superstore to their societies. To end this problem, I took an initiative and bought several e-rickshaws,” he said

Asish Mathews | network marketing entrepreneur

The president of Nirmal Chhaya apartments welfare society, he has done a lot for maintaining the VIP Road. From cleanliness and environmental campaigns to chhabils (sweet-water kiosks) around the VIP Road, he has organised all. “I have never shirked from performing my civic duties. I love working for green Zirakpur, as the town has not many trees,” he said. With the support of colleagues, he cleared a barren land where people used to dump garbage and park their vehicles at night