Bolly stars raise funds

ACTRESS Anushka Sharma on Friday shared that the Covid fund-raiser she started with her husband, cricketer Virat Kohli, has surpassed its target, raising Rs113 911 820 (R21 906 382).

Kohli and Sharma started the fundraiser campaign on May 7. The couple collaborated with crowd-funding platform Ketto for the campaign #Inthistogether and donated Rs20 000 000 (R3 846 400) towards the initiative. They had aimed to raise Rs70 000 000 (R13 462 400) for Covid relief in India.

On Friday, Sharma shared a note on Instagram that read: “Thanks to all we have surpassed our target! Funds raised for Covid Relief. Rs11,39,11,820. #inthistogether”.

“Truly amazed and humbled by the spirit of solidarity that you all have shown. We are proud to announce that we have raised more than our initial target and it will go a long way to save lives,” she added.

“Thank you for your overwhelming support in helping the people of India. This wouldn’t be possible without you. Jai Hind. #Inthistogether #Actnow #Oxygenforeveryone #Togetherwecan #Socialforgood,” Sharma further stated.

Meanwhile actress Lara Dutta and sports scientist Shayamal Vallabhjee joined hands with The Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE), a non-profit headquartered in Silicon Valley for “I Breathe For India Campaign: Covid Crisis Relief”, a virtual fundraising campaign to help India battle the Covid-19 crisis.

The campaign, which runs until Thursday, brings together Indian luminaries, actors and sports personalities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, H.H. Radhanath Swami, Karan Johar, Rishabh Pant, Anil Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Samantha Prabhu, Tarun Tahliani, and many more, who appeared in a live special two-hour fundraising drive for Give India -- India's largest non-profit working actively with 2 200 NGOS on the ground in the fight against Covid-19.

During the drive, the stars appeared reciting poetry, singing songs and delivering heartfelt messages, as part of a specially curated showcase, never before seen in India, which was streamed live across Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.

Funds from the campaign will go towards essential life-saving medical supplies, humanitarian aid for families under the poverty line that have been affected by the crisis, and manpower support for setting up vaccination and isolation centres to strengthen the nations' efforts to combat the spread of Covid-19.

“The ‘I Breathe for India’ campaign was more than a fundraiser. It represented the collective consciousness off many people whose only desire was to India and its citizens in its hour of need. In many ways it helped redefine what is possible as we move towards the ‘new normal’.

“Thanks to the unwavering dedication of the Encompass team and its partners, we more than doubled our initial goal of $1 million and now as a result, have extended our deadline to allow us to shatter the proverbial glass ceiling.

“Both Lara and I, and the teams from TIE Global and Give India are eternally grateful to the entire unit that made this possible,” said Vallabhjee.

Dutta added, “The success of the #Ibreatheforindia fundraiser would not have been possible without the individual efforts behind the scenes. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to each and every one for selflessly giving your time and talents. God Bless and keep you all and your families safe until we are able to overcome this crisis together.”

“I Breathe for India: Covid Crisis Relief” was produced by global creative commerce agency, VMLY&R COMMERCE ENCOMPASS with platform partners including Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Sony Liv, Voot, Eros Now and Glance, helping to amplify and restream the event. |