Swara Bhaskar thanks Pakistan for kindness and solidarity

India continues to battle the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as the number of cases across the country surged by a record daily rise of 349,691 on Sunday, for a total of 16.96 million cases, including 192,311 deaths, the health ministry said.

The country of 1.3 billion people is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe, Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, warned in an op-ed published Saturday in the Washington Post. He said some 2,000 people were dying daily, but most experts estimated that the true number was five to 10 times that level.

#IndiaNeedsOxygen and #PakistanStandsWithIndia trend on Twitter in Pakistan as citizens request PM Imran Khan to aid India who is facing a shortage of oxygen cylinders as Covid-19 cases spike in the region.

Many celebrities too raised their voice and lent support to the neighbouring country. Earlier, Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, who is not a fan of Pakistan, to say the least, has commended Pakistan for worrying about its neighbours. Now, Swara Bhaskar has taken to Twitter and lauded Pakistanis for support. 

"Heartening to see Pakistani civil society and social media reach out in solidarity and kindness to India during this devastating time," the Veere Di Wedding star penned, adding, "This despite the fact that our media and mainstream public discourse have consistently mocked and vilified Pakistanis."

She concluded by saying, "Thank you for your bada dil Padosi."

Previously, Bhaskar lauded Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar as well for addressing the stressful situation in India. "Thank you Shoib Akhtar ji for the kind words and gesture of humanity! Deeply appreciated," wrote Bhaskar. 

Akhtar took to his YouTube channel to urge help from Pakistan’s government and fans to help India deal with the second wave of the Covid-19 virus. Akhtar said global support is needed to help India in such a health crisis. "India is really struggling with Covid-19. Global support needed. The health care system is crashing. It's a Pandemic, we are all in it together. Must become each other's support," the bowler wrote on Twitter.

“It is impossible for any government to tackle the ongoing crisis. I appeal to my government and fans, to help India. India does need a lot of oxygen tanks. I request everyone to donate and raise funds for India and deliver oxygen tanks to them,” Akhtar said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.