The sudden surge in the number of Covid cases in 2021, even after it had been brought under control last year, has sky-rocketed the death toll in the country. The deadly Covid-19 virus has managed to stir fear among the masses yet again with a new structure this time around. Doctors and experts have been calling it the triple mutated cover of the same virus with more difficult and symptoms to deal with.
Apparently, this new variant of Covid-19 has resurfaced itself just as soon as normalcy was restored. This second wave has forced the government to put up restrictions for people and enforce lockdowns and night curfews.
Virat and Anushka’s Fundraising Goal
The most-watched sport in this country, cricket, has taken a hit too. The ongoing Indian Premier League was put to an indefinite halt as soon as few of the players tested positive with this virus.
Amid all this crisis, the Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma announced on Friday about their plans to start a Covid-19 fundraiser. Through this initiative of theirs; Virat and Anushka plan to achieve a total sum of seven crore rupees which will be judiciously used for organising relief work for the people suffering.
The couple donated a big sum of two crore rupees and kick-started this fundraiser asking people to donate as much as they can. The fundraiser received an overwhelming response from the people and their fans. A total of 3.6 crores were added in less than twenty-four hours since the campaign began. On Wednesday it reached a milestone of five crores. A total of eighteen thousand and two seventy-two (18272) supporters of this campaign have made sizable contributions to the fund and made this campaign a success.
The country faces a mammoth shortage of oxygen cylinders at this moment. As it stands oxygen cylinders become the most vital equipment needed to cure Covid. Hence this money from the fundraiser will be used for the deployment of oxygen cylinders as an immediate solution to the problem. It will not only be providing the hospitals but also in the concentrators and oxygen power plants to increase the production of it.
Furthermore, it will look forward to ensuring more manpower in various medical sectors; home care, and also drum up the vaccination drive that the government has arranged.
Vaccination drive
When the vaccination drive in India started it was declared as the largest vaccination drive by the World Health Organisation. But seemingly so there has been a shortage of vaccines in recent weeks. The vaccination centers have been left dry as people are not being granted appointments due to a lack of vaccines in India.
This fundraiser will help tackle all of these shortcomings that come in the way of our battle with this deadly virus. Last year Anushka Sharma made sizable donations in the PM Cares fund and the Maharashtra government’s relief fund. This year with additional help from her husband Virat Kohli she wants to do the same, extend her bit of help in this fight.
Other Donations From Cricketers
Cricketers have also made their contributions to help aid India get ahead in this fight. MS Dhoni, the former Indian captain; and co-owner of Chennaiyin FC has associated themselves with the Greater Chennai Corporation(GCC) to spread awareness about this virus through digital means. It will use social media handles to amplify GCC’s valuable updates regarding Covid so that it reaches more people. The IPL team Chennai Super Kings; captained by MS Dhoni has also donated 450 oxygen concentrators through an NGO in Tamil Nadu.
Royal Challengers Bangalore who were having a terrific season in this year’s IPL have also extended their helping hand towards the frontline workers in Bangalore. They will be providing financial support to these people along with oxygen support. Subsequently, all the other IPL teams have donated money in their respective states. The NGOs have been receiving help from the donations of these teams with big purses throughout the year.
Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins who is a part of the KKR franchise was appalled by India’s current scenario. Having been here for months during the IPL; Pat Cummins made a generous donation of fifty thousand US dollars in the PM cares fund for oxygen supplies in hospitals.
This also inspired the former Australian pacer Brett Lee to donate 1 BTC(Bitcoin) in crypto relief which would help purchase oxygen cylinders for hospitals all across India
