Gambhir gives up two years’ salary

New Delhi, April 2: Donations continued to pour in from the sporting fraternity with cricketerturned-politician Gautam Gambhir on Thursday deciding to contribute his two years’ salary as an Member of Parliament to the Prime Minister-CARES fund to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping through the country.

The BJP’s Lok Sabha member from East Delhi made the announcement on his Twitter page, urging people to come forward and donate generously.

“People ask what can their country do for them. The real question is what can you do for your country? I am donating my two year’s salary to #PMCaresFund. You should come forward too,” Gambhir said.

SRIDHAR FIELDS `4 LAKH

The Indian cricket team fielding coach R. Sridhar also took to the social networking site to announce a donation of `4,00,000.

“As a proud Indian citizen, I’m Duty-bound and honoured to contribute `200,000/- to @PMCares, `150,000/@TelanganaCMO to & `50,000/- to Sec Cantt Board,” Sridhar tweeted.

APURVI GIVES `5 LAKH

2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and multiple World Cup-winning rifle shooter Apurvi Chandela also contributed `5,00,000 — `3,00,000 to Prime Minister-CARES fund and `2,00,000 to

Rajasthan Chief Minister’s relief fund — to fight the pandemic.

POREL DONATES `50K

Bengal pacer Ishan Porel on Wednesday contributed `50,000 in country’s fight against Covid-19, which has forced a 21-day lockdown in India.

The talented young pacer has donated `20,000 each to the State Relief Fund and Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, and `10,000 to a local hospital for buying masks, gloves and sanitisers.

“We need to help people fight this dreaded disease in whatever way we can. I am doing my bit. I am also arranging basic food like rice, cereals and grocery for 100 people near my locality who can’t afford food because of this lockdown.

“They have been identified and my parents and myself will be distributing the goods in the next two days,” Porel said.

UMPIRES COME TOGETHER

With cricket matches suspended in the city owing to the lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, a lot of local umpires and scorers, who are solely dependent on it, are facing financial problems.

A group of umpires have created a fund specifically for the umpires and scorers. “We, umpires have formed a group ‘Lending a Hand’ to help umpires and scorers whose livelihood depends on cricket,” Ganesh Iyer said.