Do you have a KHIILADI in you?
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/fight-against-coronavirus-akshay-kumar-pledges-to-donate-rs-25-cr-in-pm-cares-fund/articleshow/74863417.cms
This article was enough to trigger adrenaline rush in me. I was like look at this man; INR 25 Cr! is hell lot of money. This is not the first time he has done something like this. His brainchild Bharat Ke Veer had raised INR 29 Cr for 159 families in 1st year. I am not here to do PR for him- he does not need; gem of a person.
I am writing this to highlight how such acts by celebrities / role model( he is my role model) can have a positive effect on others. When I started my career, I had decided I will donate xx% from my earning for social causes; but I have never been able to follow that. Occasionally I may do something(mostly my wife is the one who keeps me reminding about that). But as soon as I read this article I thought I should also contribute for this cause.
What good I am doing for others. Except watching TV and worrying for daily wage earners who are on the streets; trying to escape cities along with their families to reach their hometown. They have high probability of getting infected and infecting their villages – which have minimal medical facilities. How can I help them – I cannot help them . Frankly I may not even volunteer also if given an opportunity . I am scared of this disease. I am only helping myself by staying at my house.
But there are hundreds and thousands of government servants who are putting their lives at risk and managing this situation. This crisis may worse and state and central government will need resources(these volunteers and money). I can at least contribute money in this crisis.
I have been helplessly watching this news about migrant workers rushing to their home towns; state governments are trying to make temporary arrangements to stop this exodus . This is not time to criticize politicians; some of the tall leaders are at ground zero; wearing a surgical mask and monitoring activities. I have respect for all of them; no one was prepared for this; but they are fighting with guidance from medical staff; support from police and municipal servants; educated lot of IAS/ IPS’s and many more brave warriors.
Coming back to Akshay Kumar - one may say he makes lot of money and can donate such money; yes he makes lot of money, but every penny counts.
This is an extraordinary situation and governments at each level(local/ state/ central) need money to fight this. Central government has overall responsibility and each state has its own needs. With most of laborers returning to UP and Bihar; these 2 states will be in dare need of funds to manage incoming population. Most of them are daily workers who are part of our lives - from a T-shirt tailor in Ludhiana to bus driver in Delhi to gardener in Mumbai to bhaajiwala in Bangalore; they are all important people.
Please donate and support governments. I will donate to my home state, to state of my residence., to states of UP and Bihar and to PM Covid fund . Let’s share the load – Jaan hai to Jahaan Hai!
I am asking you again - Do you have a KHIILADI in you?
