Amidst the deadly outbreak of Corona virus pandemic, many countries around the world are under lockdown. This, however, has had adversely affected daily-wage earners.
As India continues to battle against the spread of Corona virus with over 2000 confirmed cases, people from all walks of life, including Bollywood stars have pledged support to the PM-CARES Fund. PM Narendra Modi created the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES) on March 28 and urged the citizens to show their support for the cause. Several tinsel town celebs like Akshay Kumar, Anushka Sharma and Kartik Aryan have extended financial support to the government relief fund.
Shahrukh Khan trolled on Social Media
When some of the known Bollywood celebrities started donating a handsome amount for COVID-19, people started trolling Shahrukh Khan for not donating anything for the outbreak.
The fans of King Khan supported him on twitter and created a #StopNegativityAgainstSRK.
I like to do charity without publicity. If you believe in a cause, you should do it silently. #StopNegativityAgainstSRK pic.twitter.com/BcxIz0nsqx
— Neel Joshi (@iEmN3El) March 29, 2020
Shah Rukh Khan never donated anything to Pakistan.. STOP all these fake claims & accusations against SRK .. Dear Haters, do some research before barking and putting false allegations!
#StopNegativityAgainstSRK pic.twitter.com/tyhkmeXjj5
— Javed (@JoySRKian_1) March 29, 2020
SRK has got his principles to do the charity secretly. He is known to be the highest Charity making person. According to him, Charity has to be as silent and confidential as possible.
Shah Rukh Khan is the first Indian to have received UNESCO award for charity and he truly deserves it. Till he got the award nobody was even aware of his charity work which clearly shows how strictly he had hidden it. Hats off to such a charitable person.
When SRK received the honorary doctorate in Philanthropy by The College of Regulation, London in 2019, he said, “I believe that charity should be done in silence and with dignity. One cannot speak about their charitable acts because it loses its purpose. I have been privileged to be able to use my status as a public personality to champion causes close to my heart”.
Furthermore, he added, “I actively participate with the causes of women empowerment, rehabilitation of the underprivileged and basic human rights. I firmly believe that I have to give back to the world that has given me so much. I am humbled with this honorary doctorate bestowed upon me and would like to thank everyone involved for choosing me”
SRK – Reel and Real Life Hero
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, via Red Chilies Entertainments and Kolkata Knight Riders, has donated an undisclosed amount to PM Cares and other trusts to support the government in the fight against COVID-19. The actor, last seen in ‘Zero’, also announced several other initiatives like providing PPE kits to healthcare workers and meals to underprivileged people and daily wage earners.
SRK released a statement today stating that he and his team have decided to contribute to several initiatives that are taking care of corona virus relief work. He has contributed towards seven initiatives like the PM-Cares Fund, Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Healthcare Providers, Ek Saath — The Earth Foundation, Roti Foundation, Working People’s Charter, and Support for Acid Attack Survivors.
The Twitter page of Red Chilies shared a lengthy statement in which Khan pledged his support to trusts and initiatives like PM Cares, Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) for Healthcare Providers, Ek Saath – the earth foundation, Roti Foundation, The Working People’s Charter and support for acid attack survivors. It said:-
“Let’s just make sure we all do our little bit to look after each other. India and all Indians are One Family,”
“In these times its imp to make everyone around u working tirelessly for u… not related to u… perhaps even unknown to u… to feel they are not alone and by themselves. Let’s just make sure we all do our little bit to look after each other. India and all Indians are One Family,” SRK tweeted.
In these times it’s imp to make everyone around u working tirelessly for u.. not related to u.. perhaps even unknown to u… to feel they are not alone and by themselves. Let’s just make sure we all do our little bit to look after each other. India and all Indians are One Family. https://t.co/LWz4wQGaPe
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 2, 2020
Given the enormity of the task, he and his team discussed ways to contribute in their own modest way and have come up with a series of initiatives, which can make some difference. According to SRK, The efforts of our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji coupled with the efforts of the Chief Ministers, Shri Uddhav Thackeray ji, Smt Mamata Banerjee, Shri Arvind Kejriwal and all other States and Union Territories leaders have been commendable in fighting this pandemic. He said that they have initially focused their efforts on the three cities – Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi with the realization that this is a start and they stand ready to contribute in whichever way possible going forward.
At a time when the human race is facing an immense crisis, there can only be one true response: The expression of humanity itself. This is a moment for all of us to come together in a collective effort to make each other kinder, stronger and braver to face the days ahead. This crisis is not going to pass in a hurry; it will take its time and its toll on all of us. It will also show us that there isn’t really a choice between looking out for ourselves and looking out for one another. There’s nothing more obvious in the spread of this pandemic, than the fact that each one of us is inextricably connected to each other, without any distinction.
SRK also said, “While everyone is doing whatever they can to support each other in their own small ways, the compassion we show to those who are likely to face the most brutal brunt of both, the pandemic and its economic consequences, will define us as a generation and as a nation,”.
Here are the organizations that Shah Rukh and his companies have contributed to:
1. PM-Cares fund:
Kolkata Knight Riders, the IPL (Indian Premier League) franchise co-owned by the actor has pledged an undisclosed amount to the PM-Cares fund.
2. Maharashtra chief minister’s relief fund:
Red Chilies Entertainment has contributed to the Maharashtra CM’s relief fund.
3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare providers:
Kolkata Knight Riders & Meer Foundation will work with the West Bengal and the Maharashtra governments and contribute 50,000 PPE kits.
4. Ek Saath:
The Earth foundation: Meer Foundation along with Ek Saath will provide daily food rations to over 5,500 families for at least a month in Mumbai. A kitchen will also be set up to send out 2,000 freshly cooked meals every day to help households and hospitals.
5. Roti Foundation:
Meer Foundation, in association with Roti Foundation, will feed the underprivileged and daily wage laborers affected by the corona virus crisis. They will provide 3,00,000 meal kits with 10,000 people per day for at least a month.
6. Working People’s Charter:
Meer Foundation will work with the organization to provide basic essentials and grocery items for at least a month to over 2,500 daily wage workers who have been identified across Delhi.
7. Support for acid attack survivors:
Meer Foundation will provide a monthly stipend to over 100 acid attack survivors across Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal and Uttarakhand and take care of their basic needs
Reactions on SRK’s Generosity
People have lauded Shah Rukh Khan for contributing to the government relief fund and supporting the cause. The hash tag #SRKDonatesForCOVID trended on Twitter after King Khan made the announcement.
#SRK and his group of companies announce initiatives… OFFICIAL STATEMENT… #CoronaVirus #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/oDSbhx6ffM
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) April 2, 2020
Good initiative by Shah Rukh Khan in these troubled times. pic.twitter.com/IFEaGCFWdU
— Komal Nahta (@KomalNahta) April 2, 2020
In these trying times keeping our distance from each other does not mean distancing ourselves from the well being of each other. Whatever best we individually try, may not be enough, but together if we all do our bit, we can overcome this crisis. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy. https://t.co/mVOIt7r6xB
— Gauri Khan (@gaurikhan) April 2, 2020
Whilst we stay safe at home,many r working for our safety & fending for themselves. Here’s our little contribution to ensure their health & well being! Separate but together,we will overcome! @iamsrk @PMOIndia @narendramodi @OfficeofUT @AUThackeray @MamataOfficial @ArvindKejriwal pic.twitter.com/4tEtWT67lL
— Meer Foundation (@MeerFoundation) April 2, 2020
Thank you @iamsrk ji @gaurikhan ji🙏🏼 https://t.co/aX80TDoWQV
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) April 2, 2020
ह्या लढाईत आपण सगळे एकत्र आहोत कारण थेंबे थेंबे तळे साचे. सर्वांनी थोडे थोडे प्रयत्न केले तर एक मदतीचा महासागर तयार होईल..
आपल्या मार्गदर्शनासाठी धन्यवाद!
We are all a family sir….and we need to be together to keep each other healthy. Thank you. https://t.co/Yi2iFgktPZ— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 3, 2020