Greater Noida, India: In a touching and generous effort to help India’s battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, teenage golfing prodigy Arjun Bhati has sold all of his 102 trophies.

The 15-year-old rising star of Asian golf pledged to donate Rs 4.3 lakh towards the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund.

Since taking up golf some eight years ago, Bhati has accumulated more than 100 national and international titles, including three World Golf Junior Championship crowns and the Indian Golf Union’s National Junior Golf Championship in 2019.

Last year, Bhati was selected to represent the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation at the European Young Masters in the Czech Republic.

“My grandmother, after coming to know about my contribution towards PM-CARES Fund, first cried and said: ‘You are a real Arjun’. At this point of time, it’s important to save human lives. Trophies can be won in future’,” tweeted Bhati in Hindi.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the young golfer. “This great feeling of Indian citizens is the greatest support for the country as it fights novel coronavirus,” tweeted Modi, in Hindi.

In a live interview with Republic TV, Bhati added: “Our country is going through such a difficult situation and it is the duty for every citizen of India to help the nation.

“The country has done so much for me, it’s time for me to do something. It was not very difficult for me to part with the trophies as to do something for the country is an honour. I feel proud and honoured that I could do something for the country.

“Instead of auctioning it, I chose to sell it to my relatives and friends as I thought it needed to be taken care of. So I collected Rs 4.3 lakh and then donated it for the Covid-19 patients.

“I request everyone to contribute in whatever capacity – small or big – as the nation is going through a very difficult phase and the country really needs it. We should also follow the 21-day lockdown properly otherwise it may be extended.”