Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar on Friday donated Rs 50 lakh to fight against coronavirus pandemic, which has so far claimed 20 Indian lives and wreaked havoc globally.
Tendulkar’s donation is so far the biggest contribution among India’s leading sportspersons, some of whom have pledged their salaries while a few others have donated medical equipment to fight the dreaded outbreak, which has caused more than 25,000 deaths globally.
“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 on conditions of anonymity.
Tendulkar has been associated with a lot of charity work and there have been umpteen times, he has taken up social causes, helped people, which has never been brought to public notice.
Among other prominent cricketers, the Pathan brothers – Irfan and Yusuf – donated 4000 face masks to Baroda police and health department while MS Dhoni has donated Rs 1 lakh via crowdfunding website Ketto to the Mukul Madhav Foundation, a public charitable trust in Pune.
Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan has also donated to the Prime Minister’s relief fund and urged others to contribute.
“@narendramodi Ji’s National Relief Fund. Encouraging all of you to help, so that together we can make a difference,” Dhawan said in a tweet with a video message.
Hi everyone remember to stay indoors & take care of your family and yourself. I have done my bit and contributed to Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji's National Relief Fund – https://t.co/39srdIyFGB
Encouraging all of you to help, so that together we can make a difference 🙏 pic.twitter.com/9XZ0dEEAii— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) March 26, 2020
