In a heartwarming gesture, cricketer Gautam Gambhir requested the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to help an elderly man, claiming to be an Army veteran, after he found him begging in Delhi’s Connaught Place. Gambhir tweeted a picture of him and urged the ministry to help him get his dues.
“He’s Mr Peethabaran, who served in the Indian Army in 1965 &1971 wars which can be verified by his ID. He claims due to technical reasons he can’t get support from d Army,” Gambhir tweeted.
“I’d urge @adgpi @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD to intervene as he is begging at A block Connaught Place,” he said in the tweet.
The defence ministry took notice of Gambhir’s appeal and assured him of help. “We appreciate the concern raised by you and assure that the response will be quick and complete. @adgpi,” the defence spokesperson tweeted.
Gambhir later thanked the Army:
Thanks @adgpi for explaining in detail how they have taken care of Mr Peethabaran. From his hip replacement surgery to a monthly grant from Rajya Sainik Board, they have assisted him like their own. Grateful. Thanks @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/SVG8w1FMjM
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) February 2, 2019
His gesture was duly appreciated by the netizens.
Thanks why We always love you @GautamGambhir .
Real sportsman with nationalism at brain and heart for brave Army— प्रशांत पाटील (@prashant_pash46) February 2, 2019
The gambhir way is the best way.
— Mayank thakur
Positive impact of social media! Thank u to @GautamGambhir for taking up the issue and thank u to @adgpi for taking prompt and sincere action!
— Neha (@A_nehaaa) February 2, 2019
I am feeling very proud to see that a great player has a great heart. You have set the example of humanity. Salute you sir..
— Santosh Kumar Gupta (@skg_1973) February 3, 2019
Gambhir, a left-handed batsman who retired from all forms of cricket in December last year, is known for voicing his support for social causes. In August 2017, he started a free community kitchen in Delhi to feed the poor and the homeless in the city. He also offered to bear the educational expenses of the daughter of a martyred J&K policeman who was killed in a terror attack in Anantnag.
#Hijra Habba: Celebrating the #transgenderhttps://t.co/DuyOjhgrur#Section377#Gautamgambhir#celebrity#celebrations #societyandculture #motivationalspeaking #inspirational pic.twitter.com/L2XzjskLFm
— alia goyel (@aaliyagoyel1) September 25, 2018
Last year in September, he was spotted wearing a dupatta and a bindi at ‘Hijra Hibba’, an annual meeting of transgenders, in support of the LGBTQ+ community. The event was organised to celebrate the landmark Supreme Court which decriminalised homosexuality in India.
