COVID-19: HNIs, Startups, and Businesses to The Rescue

It is heartening to see a world united in its fight against COVID-19. While countries are collaborating and learning from each other, startups and established businesses are also coming forward with innovative and effective ways to fight the pandemic. Tycoons and industrialists are putting their best foot forward too.

India has released medicine to the US and is also considering helping its neighbors with the same, while China and other countries are supplying respirators, masks, gloves, etc., and a host of other materials needed in this fight.

Here are just a few names that come to mind. The list is not exhaustive. It is growing larger by the day.

Jack Dorsey

Twitter’s CEO Jack Dorsey has set aside 28% of his wealth to help those who are aiding in the fight against COVID-19. This works out to more than $1 billion (Rs 7,000 crore), which you will agree is a huge figure. He has set up an online excel sheet which anybody can see across the world, detailing where this money is being distributed.

Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran

N. Chandrasekaran has pledged Rs 1000 crore to support activities to contain the pandemic in collaboration with the Tata Trusts. Tata Group is also getting ready to manufacture ventilators.

Azim Premji

IT Czar turned philanthropist Azim Premji has committed Rs 1,000 crore ($134 million) through his foundation for humanitarian aid and to help in the containment and treatment of the disease. The foundation’s 1600 employees will also work with the government and healthcare workers in this effort.

Ratan Tata

Ratan Tata has donated Rs 500 crore to buy personal protective equipment and other material to fight the pandemic.

Mukesh Ambani

Reliance owner Mukesh Ambani as offered Rs 500 crore ($67 million) to the PM’s fund, another 5 crores to the relief fund of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and an equal amount to the relief fund of the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Ambani has also set up a 100-bed COVID unit in Mumbai and will be providing free meals across multiple cities to the needy. Reliance will also be producing 1 lakh masks a day.

Wipro

Wipro Ltd has announced Rs 100 crore, and Wipro Enterprises has donated Rs 25 crore  – this will be in addition to what Azim Premji’s Foundation will be spending.

A host of other millionaires, billionaires, and corporates are doing a hundred different things besides donating cash to fight the pandemic. And it is heartening to see the impact. With this attitude, we are sure to overcome this crisis soon.

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