New Delhi: The global pandemic has infected more than 6,60,000 lives and over 30,000 people died. As the coronavirus marched across the world, no corner of the planet was safe.
India alone has recorded more than 900 cases of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Amid this situation India Inc is offering full support and assistance to combat the virus.
Mahindra & Mahindra to manufacture face shield to combat COVID-19
Mahindra & Mahindra will manufacture a face shield designed by Ford for medical service providers to help in combating coronavirus pandemic, according to company Managing Director Pawan Goenka.
The company is targeting to make 500 pieces on Monday and ramp up the capacity.
"With a design sourced fromour partner Ford Motor, we are now ready to make this Face Shield for use of medical service providers," Goenka said in a tweet while sharing a prototype picture.
He further said the company is "targeting to make 500 on Monday and then ramp up".
It had also offered the facilities of the group's hospitality arm as medical care facilities.
AI to conduct 9 flights from Mar 31-Apr 3 to transport essential items
Amid a 21 day nation wide lockdown to combat coronavirus, Air India will conduct nine special flights between March 31 and April 3 to transport essential items such as medicines, test kits and equipment to various cities across the country, senior airline officials said.
"On March 31 morning, one B787-8 aircraft would be operating a flight on Mumbai-Bengaluru route. The plane would return to Mumbai in morning itself," the official said.
Another B787-8 will be used to conduct a flight on March 31 between Mumbai and Chennai, the senior official noted.
"These planes would be carrying essential items such as medicines, test kits and equipment," the official added.
IndiGo offers to ferry meds, equipment
Countrys largest airline by market share, IndiGo, has offered to assist the government by ferrying medicine, equipment, and other relief samples across the country.
In a letter to the Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Ronojoy Dutta, CEO of IndiGo, said: "I know you must be facing major logistical challenges in moving medicine, equipment and relief supplies from one part of the country to another. We at IndiGo would be extremely proud to be associated with this critical life-saving activity at this hour of great need for our nation."
Read more:Tatas commit Rs 1,500 crore to fight COVID-19
"Please be assured that all our employees are highly motivated in the service of this country and are eagerly looking for opportunities in which to contribute. We would consider it an honour if you would engage us in this activity."
Hyundai's CSR arm to bring testing kits from S Korea
Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) has announced immediate order of "COVID-19 Advanced Diagnostic Testing Kits" from South Korea which will be distributed in consultation with the Centre and state governments to the hospitals.
The foundation is the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL).
"These advanced kits have a very high level of accuracy and can help serve over 25,000 People," the company said in a statement.
"Post receiving the shipment, the kits will be distributed in consultation with the Centre and state governments to the hospitals in affected areas," it added.
GoAir offers to fly migrant workers to home states during lockdown
No-frills carrier GoAir evinced interest in flying thousands of stranded migrant workers in various states to the airports closer to their homes amid the lockdown across the country, and said it has approached the government on this issue.
With both passenger train and flight services shut till April 14 and no source of income due to the closure of all businesses, these migrant workers are stuck in major cities and looking for means to reach their native places.
India''s millions of migrant workers are the most affected sections of our society during the ongoing 21-day lockdown in view of COVID-19, the airline said.
"In response to their plight and after seeing scenes of workers trying to walk hundreds of kilometres home with their families, including children, GoAir has reached out to the Civil Aviation Ministry and offered its services to fly these workers and their families to the airports closest to their homes," the airline said.
Paytm to contribute Rs 500 crore for PM CARES Fund
To support the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, India's leading digital payments and financial services platform Paytm on Sunday said it is aiming to contribute Rs 500 crore to the PM CARES Fund.
Urging users to do their bit in the fight against Covid-19, the company said that for every contribution or any other payment made on Paytm using the wallet, UPI and Paytm Bank debit card, the company will contribute an extra up to Rs 10.
"We are honoured to do our duty to aid the government in all the relief measures being taken to fight the Corona pandemic. We hope our users wholeheartedly donate to PM CARES fund and help save lives," Madhur Deora, President - Paytm, said in a statement.
"We will also contribute up to Rs 10 for every payment transaction using the Paytm app and instruments. This money would be directly sent to the PM-CARES fund. Paytm commits to doing everything in its power to support the efforts of our government in coming out of this crisis," Deora said.
Kalyan Jewellers to spend Rs 10 cr to provide food, essential items to needy
Kalyan Jewellers has said it will set aside Rs 10 crore towards fighting the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
The company will partner with local and government bodies to ensure that the funds are allocated in a meaningful and efficient manner, ensuring availability of supplies and providing food and other essentials to the vulnerable sections of society, Kalyan Jewellers said in a statement.
"The situation created by COVID-19, and the tremendous impact that the pandemic has had on humanity globally, is unprecedented. These have proved to be very challenging times, and our Central and state governments are doing everything they can to combat this," Kalyan Jewellers Chairman and Managing Director T S Kalyanaraman said.
"We understand the magnitude of this crisis, and would like to extend our humble contribution of Rs 10 crore towards the fight against COVID-19," he said.
Jack Ma, Alibaba foundations donate medical supplies to India
The Jack Ma Foundation and the Alibaba Foundation have donated essential medical supplies to India along with six more countries -- Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
Collectively, these seven countries will receive a total of 1.7 million face masks, 1,65,000 test kits as well as protective clothing and medical equipment such as ventilators, forehead thermometers.
Oppo donates Rs 1 crore to PM relief fund
Chinese manufacturer Oppo said that it has donated Rs 1 crore to Prime Minister's National Relief Fund and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Distress Fund to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic.
"It is a small step towards ensuring the well-being of those fighting at the frontline and showing our gratitude for the services they are providing to the citizens," the company said in a statement.
The smartphone maker has also initiated an online repair service that will help with basic troubleshooting and software related issues.
"We have initiated an Online Repair Service that will help you with basic troubleshooting and software related issues,"Athe company added.
Kotak Mahindra Bank, MD jointly pledge Rs 50 cr to PM CARES Fund
In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, Kotak Mahindra Bank and its Managing Director Uday Kotak pledged immediate support of Rs 50 crore to the PM-CARES Fund.
"Kotak Mahindra Bank and Uday Kotak personally commit immediate support of Rs 50 crore to PM-CARES Fund (Rs 25 crore each)," said Kotak Mahindra Bank.
(Input From agencies)
