Sports icons donating generously to fight coronavirus. Where are others?

Time and time again, we have drawn plenty of inspiration from our sports icons who has come forward to lead by example. Not only on the field, off the field as well, our athletes have also made their valuable contributions for the betterment of the country and of course, the betterment of its people.

As the novel coronavirus has unleashed its deadly jaw across the globe, the sporting fraternity from all over the world has jumped in with their contributions to help wage the battle against the virus. The world's biggest names in football -- Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo; tennis - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, among others are contributing to their best of capabilities to help humanity win this far.

Cristiano Ronaldo and football agent Jorge Mendes joined forces to donate lifesaving equipment to Portuguese hospitals struggling to treat patients with coronavirus. (Image: The Sun)

Back in India as well, athletes from diverse sports have been donating generously since the time the first instance of coronavirus have been diagnosed in the country and presently which has crossed the 1000 mark. After the Centre asked public representatives to ensure that no one got hungry in their respective constituencies during the 21-day lockdown, BJP MP and former cricketer Gautam Gambhir on Friday started helping the poor and the needy in his east Delhi constituency distributing food packets. He also donated Rs 1.5 crore towards this cause.

Gautam Gambhir (Image: The Statesman)

BCCI President and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly gave away Rs 50 lakh worth of rice in collaboration with the West Bengal-based company Lal Baba Rice. Sachin Tendulkar donated Rs 50 lakh, Dhoni gave away Rs 1 lakh. Young athletes also rose to the occasion to contribute, including 16-year-old cricketer Richa Ghosh, who donated a sum of Rs 1 lakh, 15-year-old shooter contributed Rs 30,000. Our most-loved Dhing Express, Hima Das pledged to support by donating her one-month salary, while gymnast Dipa Karmakar also contributed Rs 30,000 in their respective state government's relief efforts.

Also read: Coronavirus: Cricketer Ajinkya Rahane donates Rs 10 lakh

India's ace shuttler and world champion P V Sindhu donated Rs 5 lakh each to the Chief Minister's Relief Funds of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to fight the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic. Indian shooter Manu Bhaker on Monday pledged to donate Rs 1 lakh to "Haryana Corona CARES Fund". Star wrestler Bajrang Punia has donated his six months salary towards fight against coronavirus

While our athletes are providing monetary assistance to the poor or arranging equipment for medical workers, underlining yet again there's a generosity gap among our elites and middle class. Well, many clapped and banged pots and pans on 22 March at 5 pm following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call, and filmed themselves while doing so. But Right now, the priority should be to deal with this virus scientifically and help the needy people with your donations.

Also read: Mohun Bagan donates Rs 20 lakh to combat COVID-19 pandemic

Narendra Modi has appealed for contributions to a newly established charitable fund PM-Cares, to help the government battle coronavirus and the economic consequences of the pandemic.

India’s hospitals are suffering from a lack of supplies, ranging from personal protective gear to protect doctors to intensive-care beds and ventilators to assist those with severe respiratory problems.

But experts say the announced $2bn as relief will fall far short of what is needed to strengthen a healthcare system that was stretched to the breaking point even before the pandemic.

While the official announcement gave few specific details, it suggested the funds would be used to alleviate the suffering of those who have lost their livelihoods as a result of the abrupt three-week nationwide curfew announced last week, as well as strengthen infrastructure.

Indian companies and celebrities are now publicly pledging support to the fund.

Indian PM Narendra Modi (Image: ANI)

The COVID-19 pandemic marks an unprecedented time in modern history that will require the best of humanity to overcome. It's a pledge from The Bridge, for everyone who can, please support your country in this fight. Your donation will be used in immediate and long-term relief and recovery in vulnerable communities during one of the most challenging times we have collectively faced.

Your donations will help stop the virus's spread and give communities on the front lines of the crisis the resources they need to act quickly and protect the most vulnerable.

"Let us leave no stone unturned to make India healthier and more prosperous for our future generations," the Prime Minister said on Sunday. We urge others to join this fight.

You can do your part by contributing to respective state government's relief funds.

Here's the step-by-step guide to making a contribution to the PM CARES FUNDvia online payment methods:

1

Visit pmindia.gov.in

2

Click on 'Click Here For Donation Details'

3

Either use the QR code generated, or click on 'Click Here For Online Donation'

4

Check the box and 'proceed'

5

Select 'Donation' in the payment category drop-down. The form appears, and needs to be filled. Click Submit once filled

6

Confirm your details in the Confirmation screen

7

A list of payment options appears. Pick the one that's suitable to you and 'Click Here' at the relevant option

8

Complete your payment. You will be redirected to the invoice page after you are done

Citizens and organisations can go to the website pmindia.gov.in and donate to PM CARES fund using following details:

• Name of the Account : PM CARES
• Account Number : 2121PM20202
• IFSC Code : SBIN0000691
• SWIFT Code : SBININBB104
• Name of Bank & Branch : State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch
• UPI ID : pmcares@sbi

Following modes of payments are available on the website pmindia.gov.in -

• Debit Cards and Credit Cards
• Internet Banking
• UPI (BHIM, PhonePe, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, PayTM, Mobikwik, etc.)
• RTGS/NEFT

Donations to this fund will be exempted from income tax under section 80(G).

Also read: Abhinav Bindra vows to stand by his ‘team’ amid coronavirus crisis