Coronavirus Outbreak: Celebrities donate to grapple with the crisis

Ritu Yadav
Amid the 21-day lockdown to help contain the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation Fund (PM CARES fund). From Bollywood celebrities to the Cricket world, many celebrities came forward to make benignant contributions, to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar had recently taken to social media to announce that he was pledging 25 crore ₹ towards PM Modi’s PM-CARES fund. Salman Khan has decided to extend aid to 25,000-odd daily wage workers of the film industry, whose lives have been affected by the ongoing national lockdown, that has also impeded filming activities. Actor Varun Dhawan took a “pledge to contribute 30 lakhs ₹ to the PM CARES fund”.

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

Singer Guru Randhwara too contributed. He will be donating 20 lakhs ₹ to the fund. Actress Katrina Kaif announced that she will be making contributions to the PM CARES fund as well as the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s relief fund to help the nation combat COVID-19. Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh pledged to donate 20 lakh ₹ to lend support to the ongoing battle against coronavirus.

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

Role of women in socio-economic growth
Team India Captain Virat Kohli and his wife, Bollywood star Anushka Sharma donated jointly, they however did not specify the amount according to media reports. Current Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan contributed 1 crore ₹ to the fund. Actor Shipla shetty and her husband Raj Kundra donated 21 lakhs ₹ each to and according to media reports, Hrithik Roshan bought N95 and FFP3 masks for the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) workers and other caretakers.

Actresses Bhumi Pednekar, Kriti Sanon andSonam Kapoor, too did their bit by supporting and donating. Celebrity designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee donated 1 crore ₹ to the PM CARES fund.
Cricketer-turned-politician and Lok Sabha MP Gautam Gambhir released 1 crore ₹ out of his MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) towards relief efforts. He also donated his one month’s worth salary towards the fund. Cricketer Suresh Raina donated 31 lakhs ₹ to PM- CARES fund, and also 21 lakhs ₹ to UP CM’s disaster relief fund to fight against the coronavirus crisis.

It’s time we all do our bit to help defeat #COVID19. I’m pledging ₹52 lakh for the fight against #Corona (₹31 lakh to the PM-CARES Fund & ₹21 lakh to the UP CM’s Disaster Relief Fund). Please do your bit too. Jai Hind!#StayHomeIndia @narendramodi @PMOIndia @myogiadityanath

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) March 28, 2020