Good deeds, great returns!

Pranav Ashar (left) and Ravi Ramalingam (right) of Pranav Constructions Ltd with cricketer Shahid Ansari and his new electric vehicle last year

When Goregaon-based builder Pranav Ashar of Pranav Constructions Ltd promptly stepped forward to help after mid-day highlighted the poor financial conditions of Malad-based Indian wheelchair cricketer Shahid Ansari (in January 2025) and teenage wheelchair-bound archer Rutvi Lolge (November 2025), he expected nothing in return except their prayers and good wishes.

Earlier this month, Ashar received those blessings and plenty more when his company's IPO was oversubscribed by a whopping 126 times. The company raised Rs 351 crore, and its shares were listed on Indian bourses at a premium of over 30 per cent to the issue price.

Archer Rutvi Lolge with her mum Suvarna (left). Pic/Nimesh Dave

Ashar had helped Ansari, 45, who practises cricket by day and works as a Zomato delivery person by night, with a new electric vehicle to speed up his deliveries and improve his family's financial condition. He also helped Lolge, who has spina bifida, a congenital condition affecting the spinal cord that can cause paralysis of the lower limbs, pursue her dream as a state- and national-level archer.

Both, the Ansari and Lolge families, are extremely grateful to Ashar and believe his recent corporate success is God's way of blessing the man who helped them in their hour of need.

"Pranav sir gave a new direction to my life by gifting me that electric loader cart. I remember, he had initially offered to replace my rented e-wheelchair with a new one [costing approximately Rs 1 lakh], but I requested a mini loader instead as it would broaden my scope of work. It was more expensive [Rs 1.3 lakh], but he promptly agreed. Now, besides my food deliveries, I also deliver other small construction equipment. He helped uplift me and my family financially, and I'm so glad that Allah is now blessing and uplifting his career through the oversubscription of his company's shares," Ansari told mid-day on Tuesday.

Lolge, 16, was equally grateful. "There are very few people who care about economically weaker sportspersons like us. Pranav sir was prompt in his assistance towards me, and my mother [Suvarna, a single mother who works as a freelance nurse, earning around Rs 15,000 a month] blessed him. His financial success is because of these blessings. Ganpati Bappa has been kind to Pranav sir at the right time, just as he helped me at the right time," said Lolge, who also receives training and support from OGQ, a not-for-profit organisation that supports athletes, and is helping sponsor her dream of winning an international medal.

Ashar, meanwhile, assured that his company would continue to do its bit for promising sportspersons. "We, as young promoters, have always liked to support sports in whatever way we can, especially sports persons with special needs. We feel lucky and blessed to be able to offer our support. And now, with these new beginnings for the company, we plan to add more value to the lives of various sportspersons," said Ashar.