#CoronavirusOutbreak: Sachin Tendulkar, others come forward to donate money
Cricket great Sachin Tendulkar joined the list of Indian athletes to come forward and donate money in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The deadly virus has claimed more than 24,000 lives sending nations to enforce a lockdown. Athletes like Bajrang Punia, Hima Das and PV Sindhu have all been providing financial assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. Here's more.
Tendulkar donated Rs. 50 lakh to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and Chief Minister's Relief Fund. "Sachin Tendulkar decided to contribute Rs. 25 lakh each to Prime Minister's Relief Fund and Chief Minister's Relief Fund in his bid to join the fight against COVID-19. It was his decision that he wanted to contribute to both funds," a source privy to the development, told PTI.
Tendulkar's donation is one of the biggest contribution among India's leading sports personalities. Many have pledged their salaries while a few others have donated medical equipment. Among other prominent cricketers, the Pathan brothers - Irfan and Yusuf - have donated 4,000 face masks to Baroda police and health department. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni, through a Pune based NGO, made a contribution of Rs. 1 lakh.
Sprinter Hima Das has donated her one month's salary to the Assam government. Hima is an Asian Games gold-medalist besides being an under-20 world champion in 400m, is employed with PSU major Indian Oil as an HR officer in Guwahati. The Assam Cricket Association also offered to convert its Barsapara Stadium premises into a quarantine centre ato deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier on Monday, star wrestler Bajrang Punia decided to donate six months of his salary. "I have decided to donate my six months' salary," Bajrang tweeted. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly pledged to donate rice worth Rs. 50 lakh for the underprivileged. PV Sindhu donated Rs. 5 lakh each to the Chief Minister's Relief Funds of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
