Ratan Tata Commits 1,500 Crores To Fight COVID-19
NEW DELHI : As the country fights the coronavirus pandemic that is wreaking havoc across the world, the Tata Trusts and Tata Group on Saturday committed Rs 1,500 crore for related work and to protect and empower all affected communities.
Funds worth Rs 500 crores that has been committed by Tata Trusts will be used for personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical personnel on the frontlines, respiratory systems for treating increasing number of COVID-19 cases, testing kits to per capital testing, setting up modular treatment facilities for infected patients, knowledge management and training of health workers and the general public, the group said in a statement.
Later, the group announced in a tweet that another Rs 1,000 crore will be given as support and related work. Making the announcement on Twitter, Tata Trusts chairman Ratan Tata said the COVID 19 crisis is one of the toughest challenges humans 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,” he wrote.
The funds will be used for personal protective equipment for medical personnel, respiratory systems, testing kits and setting up modular treatment facilities for patients, among others, said Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Trusts.
“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,” he tweeted.
He said the current situation in India and across the world is of grave concern and needs immediate action. He said that Tata Trusts, Tata Sons and Tata Group companies are joined by committed local and global partners and the government to fight this crisis on a united public health collaboration platform which will strive to reach sections that are underprivileged and deprived.
“We are deeply grateful and have immense respect for every person of member organisations who have risked their lives and safety to fight this pandemic,” Tata said in a statement.
India saw the highest jump in coronavirus or COVID-19 cases today with 194 patients testing positive for the highly contagious illness in different parts of the country. The total is now 918, which includes 19 deaths, according to the Union Health Ministry.
