5 viral inspirations like Pradeep Mehra of Noida the Internet fell in love with

Pradeep Mehra, a 19-year-old boy, has become an overnight sensation in India. It all started on March 20, 2022, when filmmaker-journalist Vinod Kapri noticed Pradeep sprinting with a bag on his back at night. Kapri approached him and offered him a lift in his car.

Pradeep refused the lift, saying that he did it every day because he has to prepare for the Army recruitment exam. In those two minutes of conversation while running, Mehra narrated his story to Kapri.

First, see the video that has made the Internet fall in love with Pradeep.

This is PURE GOLD❤️❤️नोएडा की सड़क पर कल रात 12 बजे मुझे ये लड़का कंधे पर बैग टांगें बहुत तेज़ दौड़ता नज़र आयामैंने सोचाकिसी परेशानी में होगा , लिफ़्ट देनी चाहिएबार बार लिफ़्ट का ऑफ़र किया पर इसने मना कर दियावजह सुनेंगे तो आपको इस बच्चे से प्यार हो जाएगा ❤️? pic.twitter.com/kjBcLS5CQu

— Vinod Kapri (@vinodkapri) March 20, 2022

Pradeep said he works at a McDonald’s outlet in Sector 16, Noida in Uttar Pradesh. His mother is in the hospital and he has an elder brother who works night shifts. In the morning, Pradeep wakes up, cooks, and then starts on with his duty. After his shift, he goes running from Sector 16 to his home in Barola. When Kapri offered him a meal, Mehra again refused saying that if he had dinner with Kapri, his elder brother would have to go without food. Kapri then wished good luck to the boy and drove on.

The video which went viral, made Pradeep Mehra an overnight inspiration for the Internet.

England cricketer Kevin Pietersen and Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh also praised the boy. Pietersen shared the video on his Twitter account saying, ”This will make your Monday morning. What a guy!"

This will make your Monday morning! What A Guy! ??? https://t.co/RLknfAsCKE

— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) March 21, 2022

But this is not the first time that a viral video has shown the undeterred zeal of a human being.

Here are 5 such stories.

1. BACHPAN KA PYAR BOY

A 12-year-old boy, Sahdev Kumar Dirdo from Chattisgarh, became a pan-India name when his solo song Bachpan Ka Pyar went viral in December 2021. The song became an instant hit because of its quirky lyrics and the confidence with which the boy performed it. Indian rapper and singer Baadshah added his own touch to the boy’s song and recreated it. The song soon became a rage on internet. Many celebrities joined the bandwagon and shared it on their social media accounts.

It didn’t just stop here. Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel met Sahdev Dirdo at his village. The boy then also performed in front of a smiling Baghel. This video went viral too. The story attracted attention because a boy from a not quite well-to-do background, from a non-descript village in Chhattisgarh, created something that made everyone smile.

बचपन का प्यार....वाह! pic.twitter.com/tWUuWFP71f

— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) July 27, 2021

2. LOVE YOU ZINDAGI GIRL

She is just 30yrs old & She didn't get icu bed we managing her in the Covid emergency since last 10days.She is on NIVsupport,received remedesvir,plasmatherapy etc.She is a strong girl with strong will power asked me to play some music & I allowed her.Lesson:"Never lose the Hope" pic.twitter.com/A3rMU7BjnG

— Dr.Monika Langeh (@drmonika_langeh) May 8, 2021

On May 8, 2021, Dr Monika Langeh of New Delhi shared a video of a Covid-positive woman who was on oxygen support. The 30-year-old woman was critical, but didn’t appear restless in the Covid emergency. Instead, a video shared by Dr Langeh showed her enjoying the song Love You Zindagi from the movie Dear Zindagi.  She had a child and a husband who was recovering from Covid-19 at home. Her family also kept her motivated.

Dr Langeh said that she had seen several Covid patients, but none like this girl.

But in the end, she succumbed to the virus. Her video moved people and went viral, with the Internet commending the woman for her fighting spirit.

3. ZOMATO DELIVERY BOY

Zomato delivery partner Sonu was all happy because the company for whom he worked gave him good food to eat alongside the Rs 350 he made every day. The video was loved on Twitter by people.

The video of Sonu went viral on social media because here was a man who seemed to have found that evasive something: happiness. In a world where money matters the most, Sonu was happy with whatever he made. It also sent out the message that one should be contented with what one has.

Sonu became a meme, of course. Zomato changed the display pictures of their social media handles to that of Sonu.

4. TIKTOK STAR FROM VALSAD

From a small village Valsad in Gujarat, the talented Arman alias Sanjay Rathod became an overnight Internet sensation. Armaan, who had no such formal training in dancing, started uploading his videos on TikTok after which he became an Internet hit. Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan and choreographer Remo D'souza appreciated Rathod for his dancing skills.

He also got the chance to appear as a wild card contestant on Sony TV’s India’s Best Dancer. At the time when he uploaded his videos, Arman was out of work due to the Covid-induced lockdown. But as his luck would have it, he made it big during the lockdown itself.

5. DANCING UNCLE

A professor from Bhopal’s Bhabha University shot to fame in 2018 when his dance performance on Govinda’s Aap Ke Aa Jaane Se from Khudgarz (1987) went viral. Sanjeev Srivastava perfectly mimicked Govinda's steps and left everyone awestruck with his moves.

Srivastava's videos went viral on social media. It didn’t stop just there. He also got to meet his idol Govinda and perform in front of him on the reality show Dance Deewane. Since then, he has been famously known as Dancing Uncle on social media.