Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma donate INR20 million, start fundraiser for Covid-19

India reported another record daily rise in coronavirus cases on Friday, bringing total new cases for the week to 1.57 million, as the country's vaccination rate fell dramatically due to a lack of supplies and transport problems.

Amid the ongoing health crisis, Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma and her cricketer husband Virat Kohli, have kickstarted a Covid-19 relief campaign aimed at helping those affected.

Taking to Twitter, the Band Bajaa Baraat star wrote, “As our country battles the second wave of Covid-19, and our healthcare systems are facing extreme challenges, it breaks my heart to see our people suffering. So, Virat and I have initiated a campaign #InThisTogether with Ketto, to raise funds for Covid-19 relief.”

Anushka and Virat shared in the video, “Things have been very tough for India as we fight the pandemic and it really pains us to see our country suffer like this. We are grateful to all the people who are fighting for us day and night. Their dedication is appreciated. But now they need our support and we need to stand with them.”

The ace Indian batsman went on to add, “We are going through an unprecedented time in the history of our country and our nation needs all of us to unite and save as many people as possible. Anushka and I have been shocked to see the human suffering since last year.”

Virat continued, “We have been working towards helping as many people as possible all through the pandemic and now, India wants our support more than ever. We are starting this fundraiser with the confidence that we will be able to raise substantial funds to aid those in dire need. We are confident that people will come forward to support fellow countrymen in crisis. We are in this together and we shall overcome this.”

As India's deadly second wave continues, unabated, its total number of cases now stand at 21.49 million, with infections spreading from overcrowded cities to remote rural villages that are home to nearly 70% of the country’s 1.3 billion population. It reported a record daily 414,188 new cases on Friday, while deaths from the novel coronavirus swelled by 3,915, bringing total fatalities to 234,083.

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