Donations pour in for COVID-19 funds; Tatas, BCCI lead with crores
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on Saturday (March 28) for a new relief fund to fight against coronavirus witnessed contributions pouring in from across the country.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), world’s richest sporting body, pledged to donate ₹51 crore towards strengthening the nation’s disaster management capacities and encourage research to combat COVID-19 and protect Indian citizens.
NEWS : BCCI to contribute INR 51 crores to Prime Minister @narendramodi ji's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund
More details here – https://t.co/kw1yVhOO5o pic.twitter.com/RJO2br2BAo
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 28, 2020
Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES Fund) also got support from bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, who announced that he will be donating ₹25 crore to the emergency fund.
Taking to Twitter, Akshay said that safeguarding the lives of the people is of paramount importance right now.
“This is that time when all that matters is the lives of our people. And we need to do anything and everything it takes. I pledge to contribute ₹25 crores from my savings to @narendramodi jis PM-CARES Fund. Let’s save lives, Jaan hai toh jahaan hai, Akshay wrote.
This is that time when all that matters is the lives of our people. And we need to do anything and everything it takes. I pledge to contribute Rs 25 crores from my savings to @narendramodi ji’s PM-CARES Fund. Let’s save lives, Jaan hai toh jahaan hai. ?? https://t.co/dKbxiLXFLS
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) March 28, 2020
Actor Varun Dhawan also announced that he has pledged ₹30 lakh as donation to PM-CARES Fund. “I pledge to contribute ₹30 lakhs to the PM-CARES fund. We will overcome this. Desh hai toh hum hain,” the actor said.
Varun also said that he will be donating ₹25 lakh to Maharashtra CMs relief fund.
I pledge to contribute 30 lakhs to the PM CARE fund. We will over come this. Desh hai toh hum hain. https://t.co/E87IU22NaF
— Varun Dhawan (@Varun_dvn) March 28, 2020
Filmmaker Karan Johar hailed the creation of the new fund as a “great initiative” and said he will be doing his bit in the battle against coronavirus.
TV star Arjun Bijlani said he will be donating ₹5 lakh each to the PM-CARES Fund and Maharashtra CMs relief fund.
A number of celebrities have come forward to donate money to various relief funds so as to help people in crisis.
South superstar Rajinikanth was the first celebrity to announce that he will be donating ₹50 lakh to help daily wage workers.
Related news: PM Modi announces new relief fund as COVID-19 cases touch 918, toll 19
Several A-listers from the south, including Prabhas, Mahesh Babu, Pawan Kalyan, Ram Charan and others have also donated money.
In Bollywood, Hrithik Roshan and Kapil Sharma too had come forward to fund relief work.
The War star said he has procured masks for BMC workers and caretakers, while Kapil had donated ₹50 lakh to the Prime Minister Relief Fund.
The Tatas on Saturday too pledged ₹1,500 crore for combating coronavirus pandemic.
Tata Sons, the holding firm of the Tata group companies, announced an additional ₹1,000 crore support towards COVID-19 and related activities over and above ₹500 crore pledged by Tata Trusts earlier in the day.
In a statement, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said the group is also bringing in necessary ventilators and are gearing up to also manufacture the same soon in India.
The country is witnessing a 21-day lockdown, as announced by the PM, to contain the spread of the virus.
According to the health ministry, the number of COVID-19 cases crossed over 900 in India on Saturday with the death toll rising to 19.
(With inputs from agencies)