Chairman of Tata Trusts Ratan Tata has donated ₹500 crore to fight coronavirus pandemic in the country.
Announcing the decision, he wrote on social media, "The COVID-19 crisis is one of the toughest challenges we will face as a race. The Tata Trusts and the Tata group companies have in the past risen to the needs of the nation. At this moment, the need of the hour is greater than any other time."
"In this exceptionally difficult period, I believe that urgent emergency resources need to be deployed to cope with the needs of fighting the COVID 19 crisis, which is one of the toughest challenges the human race will face," a statement accompanying the social media post said.
The amount would be used for personal protective equipment for the medical personnel on the frontlines, respiratory systems for treating increasing cases, testing kits to increase per capita testing, setting up modular treatment facilities for infected patients, knowledge management and training of health workers and the general public, the statement read.
The statement further said, "Tata Trusts, Tata Sons and the Tata group companies are joined by committed local and global partners as well as the government to fight this crisis on a united public health collaboration platform which will strive to reach out to sections that are underprivileged and deprived."
Earlier, Anand Mahindra of the Mahindra & Mahindra Group had said Mahindra resorts would be made available to be turned into care facilities for those infected with the disease. Reliance Industries Limited chairman Mukesh Ambani had donated Rs 5 crore to Maharashtra government and had announced that the company has set up isolation centres for treatment.
Meanwhile, the ministry of health and family welfare on Saturday said the total number of COVID-19 cases has jumped to 918 in India.
