Spreading happiness: Meet the man who donates footwear to underprivileged kids

Team Udayavani, Feb 24, 2022, 11:35 AM IST

While social media is filled with people pointing out issues and problems in the country, seldom do we come across people who put an effort to change things themselves.

Meet Dr. Ananth Prabhu, who drives around the city with his car boot full of shoes of various sizes to donate it too needy kids

It all started when Prabhu noticed impoverished kids, some of whom were barefoot, walking to school. This warmed his heart, and he decided to give them all a pair of shoes.

“At first, I didn’t think much about it. However, as I began to see such children more frequently, it piqued my interest,” says Prabhu.

The hot concrete roadways, as well as nails, splinters, and other hazards are a major source of discomfort for barefooted children.

“I understand heel discomfort because I have plantar fasciitis. As a result, I decided to keep 50 different seized Hawaii slippers in my car’s boot. If I encounter a barefoot child, I just stop to help him or her walk more comfortably,” he declares.

This isn’t a one-time effort. Prabhu, who travels by road to give motivational speeches to students and others, wishes to keep doing so. A footwear retailer in Bejal sells him slippers at a cheap price because he does such fantastic work. During the rainy season, Prabhu wants to buy sandals instead of rubber slippers, which can spray mud on children’s uniforms.

Many of his friends and well-wishers have come forward to join hands with him in order to reach out to additional poor children, moved by this unique gesture.

Many people have also praised Prabhu’s gesture on social media, claiming that it will inspire other people.

Dr. Ananth Prabhu is an author, a motivational speaker, and a cyber security expert by profession.