COVID-19: Shah Rukh Khan pledges aid to PM CARES; launches other initiatives

He also lauded the efforts of PM Modi in fighting COVID-19

modi shah rukh (File) Shah Rukh Khan (left) with PM Narendra Modi (centre) and Aamir Khan | via Twitter

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan has come out with a slew of announcements to support the battle against COVID-19.

According to a press release from the actor, Khan's group of companies—Kolkata Knight Riders, Red Chillies Entertainment, Red Chillies VFX and Meer Foundation—is planning several initiatives to support the effort of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government in the fight against COVID-19.

"Given the enormity of the task, my team and I discussed ways to contribute in our modest way. We have come up with a series of initiatives, which we hope will make a small difference. The efforts of our prime minister, coupled with the efforts of the chief minsters....have been commendable in fighting this pandemic. We have initially focused our efforts on the three cities—Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi— with the realisation that this is a start and we stand ready to contribute whichever way possible going forward," the actor said in the statement.

Khan further said this is a moment for all to come together in a collective effort to make each other "kinder, stronger and braver to face the days ahead."

"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 a nation," he said in the statement.

"As a nation, and as a people, it is our duty to give it all we have got. I am going to try my best and I know each one of you will do so too," he said.

The actor said his wife Gauri Khan and he, and the companies they own are committed to contributing to PM CARES fund and Maharashtra Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Besides, he also extended support to healthcare workers and said KKR and Meer Foundation will work with the West Bengal and Maharashtra governments and contribute 50,000 personal protective equipment kits.

Other announcements made by the actor are working with Ek Saath-The Earth Foundation to provide daily food to over 5,500 families in Mumbai and setting up a kitchen to send out 2,000 freshly cooked meas every day.

Meer Foundation will also work with Roti Foundation to provide three lakh meal kits. The foundation, in association with Working People's Charter, will also provide basic essentials and grocery items for at least a month to over 2,500 daily wage workers who have been identified across Delhi.