Mumbai: Bollywood Superstar Akshay Kumar has announced to donate Rs 25 crore to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's PM-CARES fund to help the government in the COVID-19 fight. PM Modi had earlier on Saturday announced the creation of the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES) where people can contribute and help the government in the fight against coronavirus pandemic.
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 Rs 25 crores from my savings to @narendramodi ji's PM-CARES Fund. Let's save lives, Jaan hai toh jahaan hai, Akshay wrote in tweet on Saturday.
https://twitter.com/akshaykumar/status/1243867585294131201
His wife, former actor and author Twinkle Khanna praised Akshay for the step.
"The man makes me proud. When I asked him if he was sure as it was such a massive amount and we needed to liquidate funds, he just said, I had nothing when I started and now that I am in this position, how can I hold back from doing whatever I can for those who have nothing,'" she wrote.
A number of celebrities have come forward to donate money so as to help people in crisis amid coronavirus lockdown across the country.
Read More: Coronavirus Outbreak: IPRS Announces Emergency Relief Package To Support Its Members
South superstar Rajinikanth was the first celebrity to come forward by donating Rs 50 lakh to help daily wage workers.
COVID-19 Fight: Union Min Amit Shah Appeals Citizens To Contribute To PM-CARES Fund
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday urged citizens to "join hands" and make monetary contributions to the emergency fund launched by the prime minister to combat health contingencies like the coronavirus.
"Time and again we Indians have set an example for the world on how to come together in adverse situations," the minister said.
"Let us join hands in this fight against COVID-19 and contribute to PM-CARES fund launched by PM @narendramodi ji," Shah said on his Twitter handle '@AmitShah'.
Every contribution is valuable and no contribution is small, the home minister said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that a public charitable trust under the name 'Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund' (PM CARES Fund)' has been set up.
People can visit the webpage "http://www.pmindia.gov.in" to make contributions using credit and debit cards, UPI, net banking and RTGS or NEFT.
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.
COVID-19 Fight: Tata Trusts Announces Rs 500 Crore To Fight Coronavirus
In one of the biggest gestures of corporate benevolence, the Tata Trusts on Saturday announced an amount of Rs 500 crore to fight the COVID-19 pandemic raging around the world. Additionally, Tata Sons have announced to contribute Rs 1000 crores to fight the pandemic.
Tata Trusts Chairman Ratan N. Tata said that the current situation in India and across the world is of grave concern and needs immediate action.
"In this exceptionally difficult period, I believe that urgent emergency resources need to be deployed to cope with the needs of fighting the COVID-19 crisis, which is one of the toughest challenges the human race will face," Tata said.
He made a pledge to protect and empower all affected communities with a commitment of Rs 500 crore for waging the "war against virus".
The amount would be used for personal protective equipment for the medical personnel on the frontlines, respiratory systems for treating increasing cases, testing kits to increase per capita testing, setting up modular treatment facilities for infected patients, and knowledge management and training of health workers plus the general public.
He said that Tata Trusts, Tata Sons and Tata Group companies are joined by committed local and global partners and the government to fight this crisis on a united public health collaboration platform which will strive to reach sections that are underprivileged and deprived.
"We are deeply grateful and have immense respect for every person of member organisations who have risked their lives and safety to fight this pandemic," Tata said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) announced to donate Rs 51 crore to PM-CARES fund.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1243924315227082752
Secretary of BCCI Jay Shah took to Twitter and said, "India stands united with our PM @narendramodiin these challenging times."
https://twitter.com/JayShah/status/1243923723645681665
Former Indian batsman and Lok Sabha MP Gautam Gambhir said that he has released Rs one crore out of his MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) towards the relief efforts amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"It is time that all resources of the country be directed towards fighting COVID-19. Have released INR 1 Crore from my MP LAD fund towards relief efforts. Have also donated one month's salary towards the Central Relief Fund. United we stand!!" said Gambhir.
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju also said that he has donated Rs one crore from his MPLAD fund. Taking to Twitter, Rijiju wrote: "I am depositing the amount now. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a call to all BJP MPs to give Rs 1 crore from their MPLADS Fund to the National Relief Fund in fight against coronavirus."
Meanwhile, India's leading digital payments and financial services platform Paytm on Sunday said it is aiming to contribute Rs 500 crore to the PM CARES Fund.
Urging users to do their bit in the fight against Covid-19, the company said that for every contribution or any other payment made on Paytm using the wallet, UPI and Paytm Bank debit card, the company will contribute an extra up to Rs 10.
(With Agency Inputs)
Also Read: Coronavirus Death Toll Rises To 19, Positive Cases Cross 800 In India