Priyanka Chopra backs Sonu Sood’s appeal for free education for COVID-19 orphans

Priyanka Chopra Jonas came out yesterday in support of fellow artiste Sonu Sood's plea to the government to provide free education to children who have lost their parents to COVID-19.

Sharing Sood's post on Twitter, Chopra said she was "inspired" not only by his timely observation but also his solution-orientated work.

"Sonu's suggestion is to both the state and central governments to ensure free education for all children affected by COVID," the 36-year-old actress wrote in a note shared on the microblogging site. "Whatever stage of studies they are at — school, college, or pursuing higher studies. The aim is not to allow a pause and definitely not for the lack of finance. If ignored, a huge number of children would be left without opportunity as adults."

She also urged people to support at least one student's education or look for institutes that can offer help.

"I fully support Sonu's ideas and I will actively work towards finding ways to support education because I have always believed that education for every child is a birthright. And we cannot as a society let the virus change that," she added.

Earlier, Chopra Jonas had urged fans to donate to the fundraiser she had set up at GiveIndia to help those affected by the pandemic.

She has so far raised Rs5.4 crore with her initiative, which has got support from international stars like Reese Witherspoon, Lana Condor, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello.

In a video message shared on Twitter last week, Sood had requested the central and state governments, private institutions and influential personalities to support children who have lost their parents in the pandemic and are facing financial trouble and an uncertain future.