With the country undergoing an unprecedented health crisis, people are coming together on a large scale to do their bit in aiding COVID-19 victims, be it through sharing resources, spreading awareness or donating to relief funds. Bollywood celebrities, too, have stepped up to assume responsibility and contribute in their own ways. From Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar to Alia Bhatt and Sonu Sood, here's a look at all the stars answering to the need of the hour.
Alia Bhatt
The young actor has partnered with journalist Faye D'Souza to amplify credible information about COVID-19 resources through her social media page. Over the past few days, Bhatt has been sharing verified lists of COVID-19 helpline numbers across cities in India on her Instagram account. “It is a time for great uncertainty. Infrastructure and information are the need of the hour. We are limited in terms of what we can do for infrastructure. But we can do our bit to identify and amplify relevant information,” Bhatt said.
Bhumi Pednekar
The actor, who herself tested positive for COVID-19 recently, is now helping fellow victims by “identifying resources to enable facilitation and access to medical supplies, plasma requests and donors,” according to a post on her Instagram account. “This initiative is a small contribution to the huge battle that lies ahead of us,” she added. Pednekar has been actively using her social media platform to disseminate credible information around the crisis and has urged her followers to DM her if they happen to be in genuine need of medical resources.
Sonu Sood
Sonu Sood, who was recognised in 2020 as a Vogue Warrior—one of many real heroes working behind-the-scenes and on the front lines against coronavirus—for his efforts in the first wave of the pandemic, has once again risen to the occasion by devoting himself to scouting for oxygen cylinders, beds, plasma and medicines for patients.
Ayushmann Khurrana
Ayushmann Khurrana and wife Tahira Kashyap recently released a joint statement announcing their contribution to the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. “People, across India, have stepped forward to do as much as possible for each other and Tahira and I thank each and every individual who have inspired us to do more," read an open letter on Khurrana's Instagram page.
Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar, who's known for his philanthropy, recently donated Rs 1 crore to the Gautam Gambhir Foundation. The cricketer personally took to Twitter to thank the actor, saying, “Every help in this gloom comes as a ray of hope. Thanks a lot @akshaykumar for committing Rs 1 crore to #GGF for food, meds and oxygen for the needy!”
Sidharth Malhotra
The Kapoor & Sons star has been actively using his Twitter account to circulate verified information for COVID-19 patients including helpline numbers, medical supplies, and other resources on a pan-India scale.
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