Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and actor wife Anushka Sharma on Monday pledged their support to the Prime Minster and the Maharashtra Chief Minster's relief funds to combat the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, which has left the world in disarray.
Kohli, who has been constantly urging people to practice social-distancing via video messages, took to Twitter to announce the decision. However, he did not specify how much the couple would be donating.
Kohli wrote on Twitter: “Anushka and I are pledging our support towards PM-CARES Fund & the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (Maharashtra). Our hearts are breaking looking at the suffering of so many & we hope our contribution, in some way, helps easing the pain of our fellow citizens #IndiaFightsCorona”
The coronavirus outbreak has infected over 1000 people in India with 27 people succumbing to the disease.
A number of sports personalities have come forward to contribute in the fight against the disease, which has caused 34,000 deaths across the globe.
Last week, batting legend Sachin Tendulkar had donated Rs 50 lakh while former cricketer Suresh Raina contributed Rs 52 lakh.
Shuttler PV Sindhu, wrestler Bajrang Punia, sprinter Hima Das and BCCI President Sourav Gangully have also come forward to provide financial aid to fight the pandemic.
The BCCI on Saturday decided to contribute Rs 51 crore to the Prime Ministers Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund.
Former India opener and Lok Sabha MP Gautam Gambhir also said that he has released Rs 1 crore out of his MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) towards the relief efforts amid the pandemic.
Maharashtra is one of the worst-affected states in the novel coronavirus with 161 active cases and seven deaths.
(With inputs from PTI, IANS)
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