21-day lockdown: Mahindra suggests plan to help less-privileged families, and Biocon, Paytm founder call it 'best decision'
India Inc saw this step in a different and more positive light.
By ET Online and Agencies |
BCCL
(L-R) Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Anand Mahindra and Vijay Shekhar Sharma lauded PM Modi's decision to lockdown India for 21 days.
NEW DELHI: Social distancing has become a keyword in India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nation-wide lockdown for 21 days on Tuesday evening in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Right after PM Modi's speech, the announcement triggered panic-buying among the people of the country. However, India Inc saw this step in a different and more positive light.
The top honchos added logic, plans and a bit of humour to the situation, and called it the 'best move'.
Calling the lockdown 'necessary', Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra took to Twitter to express concerns about its devastating effects on the homeless, daily wage earners and contract workers. He then suggested a plan to make their lives easier. He proposed that people can arrange daily rations and essentials of at least three less-privileged families to help them get through this time better.
The lockdown’s necessary, but will be devastating for the homeless, daily wage earners&contract workers. If each of… https://t.co/F1jdgzKG14
Marico Chairman Harsh Mariwala looked at the logical side of this situation. He said that 'it takes 21 days to form a new habit' and our time starts now.
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They say it takes 21 days to form a new habit. We have to stay at home for 21 days. Your time starts now. #21daylockdown #StayHomeStaySafe
Further, breaking up the lockdown period, he wrote, "of these 21 days, 6 are weekends and 5 are bank holidays. Effectively, it's 21-11 = 10 less days of work." He requested people to just stay home, and the authorities will win the war against this pandemic in those 10 days.
Of the 21 days: 6 are weekends 5 are bank holidays Effectively, it's 21-11 = 10 workdays lesser. 10 days to help… https://t.co/Q5L6r9VBqF
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder of Paytm, call PM Modi's move 'extraordinary' and the 'best decision for India'. He has currently changed his name on the microblogging site to 'Stay Home, Stay Safe'.
Extraordinary resolve ����@narendramodi , simply the best decision for India. ������������ #IndiaFightsCorona
Former Google India head and Sequoia Capital India MD, Rajan Anandan, said that this is the worst global health crisis in over 100 years. Thanking PM Modi for the lockdown, he said that the next three weeks are the most-critical weeks in India since Independence.
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We are in the worst global health crisis in over 100 years. Next 3 weeks are the most critical weeks in India since… https://t.co/4CrhmhCjHE
Kunal Shah, Founder of Freecharge and CRED, said he still couldn't believe this was happening. "A virus which is billion times smaller than a human being has billions of humans locked up in fear," he wrote.
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Calling the silence addictive, he posed a question if it would be fair to permanently ban honking now.
Still can’t believe all this is really happening. A virus �� which is billion times smaller than a human being has… https://t.co/cF4IHeLdgK
In a social media post, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director of Biocon, called it the 'best move', and urged people to be disciplined and co-operate with the authorities. She also stressed on the need for police to enforce the curfew through awareness creation, and show empathy instead of being high-handed.
PM’s call for a 21 day lockdown is the best move to contain the spread of covid19 - needs citizens to be discipline… https://t.co/NzMgbxTddw
"Please sensitise police constables. It would be good if all those who are performing essential services are issued police stamped letters from respective organisations," she pointed out.
Police must show empathy instead of being high handed. @CPBlr please sensitise police constables on this matter.… https://t.co/L9DYvyB4UD
According to a PTI report, the biotech entrepreneur, on Wednesday, said the 21-day nation-wide lockdown is needed from the scientific point of view to collect required testing data to fully understand the severity of the disease. "The government has done the right thing. Scientifically, you need those three weeks," she added.
One has to step up testing as much more data is needed to know the extent of the affected population, those recovering and recovered and the severity of the disease, Mazumdar-Shaw said. She also mentioned that the present period needs to be used to step up testing to collect data.
Vishal Gondal, CEO of GOQii, said that people will remember this decision in the history books as the one which changed the world. "PM Modi, you have not locked 1.3 people in their homes, you have locked coronavirus from entering India," his post read.
Kudos PM @narendramodi you have not Locked 1.3 People you Have Locked #coronavirus from entering India.. This decis… https://t.co/OxZcEX1vNF
— Health Coach Vishal Gondal (@vishalgondal) 1585062969000
The War Against Coronavirus: Pichai, Jack Ma, Ambani & Other Top Bosses Show The Way
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Chinese billionaire Jack Ma (C) showed his benevolent side as he pitched in to help the world fight the novel coronavirus. The founder of e-commerce major, Alibaba, Ma became the most talked about business figure after he said that he would marshall all available resources at his disposal to take on Covid-19. From donating emergency supplies (1.8M masks, 210K test kits, 36K protective suits, plus ventilators & thermometers) to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, Pakistan & Sri Lanka in Asia to donating 20,000 test kits, 100,000 masks and 1,000 medical use protective suits in each of the 54 African countries, the 55-year-old proved that he was a good Samaritan whose charity was not mapped by geographical boundaries.
And even as the business magnate didn’t have India in his list of beneficiaries, there was much talk in the country about his act of generosity. And what followed were natural questions: who among India’s rich was doing a Jack Ma?
And it’s not just one individual, but a bunch of lion-hearted boardroom tycoons who have taken the pledge to help fight the virus that has thrown life off-track, in India and across the world.
Chinese billionaire Jack Ma (C) showed his benevolent side as he pitched in to help the world fight the novel coronavirus. The founder of e-commerce major, Alibaba, Ma became the most talked about bu..
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Google chief Sundar Pichai has donated Rs 5 crore to Give India, matching Google's earlier donation to the non-profit organisation for the coronavirus pandemic.
"Thank you @sundarpichai for matching @Googleorg's Rs 5 crore grant to provide desperately needed cash assistance for vulnerable daily wage worker families...," Give India said in a tweet.
Previously, Google had announced an over USD 800 million commitment towards efforts to tackle Covid-19 pandemic that claimed thousands of lives globally. This includes a USD 200 million investment fund for NGOs and banks to help small businesses access capital.
Besides, Google has also teamed up with Apple to work on a contact tracing approach designed with strong controls and protections for user privacy.
(With Inputs from PTI)
Google chief Sundar Pichai has donated Rs 5 crore to Give India, matching Google's earlier donation to the non-profit organisation for the coronavirus pandemic."Thank you @sundarpichai for matching @..
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Hyundai Motor India on Monday said it has donated Rs 7 crore to the PM CARES Fund to fight the Covid-19 crisis.
"Our contribution to the PM CARES Fund stands testament to solidarity we hold with the people of India, amidst this crisis," Hyundai Motor India MD and CEO SS Kim said in a statement.
In challenging times such as these, the company will continue giving back to help India defeat this adversity, he added.
The South Korean automaker had earlier pledged Rs 5 crore to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Relief Fund.
It has also donated imported diagnostic kits worth Rs 4 crore which can cater to testing requirements of over 25,000 individuals.
(With inputs from PTI)
Hyundai Motor India on Monday said it has donated Rs 7 crore to the PM CARES Fund to fight the Covid-19 crisis."Our contribution to the PM CARES Fund stands testament to solidarity we hold with the p..
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Elecon Group CMD, Prayasvin B Patel has donated Rs 11 lakh to the CM Fund to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, relief and rehabilitation work.
Also, Elecon Group has partnered with the District Collector's Office to distribute food and grocery kits among the vulnerable people.
Over 1,000 grocery kits have been distributed under the able guidance of Prayasvin B Patel and Mrs. Taruna P Patel. The grocery bag includes 10kg wheat flour, 5kg rice, 1 kg, dal, 1 kg sugar and 1 kg salt. Lunch and Dinner were also provided to the needy people at Vasad, Chikhodra and Bevda Villages.
(With inputs from ANI)
Elecon Group CMD, Prayasvin B Patel has donated Rs 11 lakh to the CM Fund to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, relief and rehabilitation work.Also, Elecon Group has partnered with the District Collector's..
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Chinese smartphone manufacturer Vivo, on Friday, announced that it has donated close to 9 lakh masks to government health bodies, police agencies and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
"Vivo India has donated close to 900,000 masks to government health bodies, police agencies and @tweetndmc. We will continue to do whatever we can, in our capacity, to help the country overcome the COVID19 pandemic. This is for all HeroesWhoCare Folded handsFolded hands Coronarelief," Nipun Marya, Director, Brand Strategy, Vivo India said in a tweet.
Earlier, the company donated one lakh medical masks and 5,000 N-95 masks to the Maharashtra government.
(With Inputs from PTI)
Chinese smartphone manufacturer Vivo, on Friday, announced that it has donated close to 9 lakh masks to government health bodies, police agencies and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC)."Vivo India ha..
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On Sunday evening Mukesh Ambani (in pic) stepped out to the balcony of his Altamount Road residence ‘Antilia’ and showed his gratitude to the country’s caregivers as he clapped his hands and rang the bell.
Hours later on Monday, Reliance Industries Limited announced that it is enhancing production capacities to manufacture 100,000 face-masks daily and a large number of protective equipment like suits and garments, for the country's health workers who are engaged in fighting the novel coronavirus. The oil and retail major also said that it has provided an initial support of Rs 5 crore to the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
RIL's Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, has also set up a dedicated 100-bed centre at Seven Hills Hospital in Mumbai for patients who test positive for Covid-19. The Foundation has also decided to provide free meals to people across various cities in partnership with NGOs.
Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of India's largest firm Reliance Industries, on April 20, pledged free meals, building country's first Covid-19 hospital and is supplying PPEs and masks as part of its effort to help the nation fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
Reliance Foundation's 'Mission Anna Seva' that aims to provide over 3 crore meals to marginalised communities and frontline workers facing hardships during the lockdown, is the largest free meal programme by any corporate foundation globally, its chairperson Nita Ambani said.
(With inputs from PTI)
On Sunday evening Mukesh Ambani (in pic) stepped out to the balcony of his Altamount Road residence ‘Antilia’ and showed his gratitude to the country’s caregivers as he clapped his hands and rang the..
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Home grown Dabur group, on Tuesday, pledged Rs 21 crore to support the relief efforts and help the immediate needs of people affected from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The group will also provide assistance to people engaged in frontline efforts to fight the virus and support to members of vulnerable sections of the society and migrant workers, who are the hardest hit by this pandemic.
"We have earmarked a fund of Rs 21 crore towards relief efforts... Out of this pledged amount, a sum of Rs 11 crore is being contributed to PM CARES Fund by Dabur India and other entities in the Group," said Dabur India Ltd Chairman Amit Burman said.
(With inputs from PTI)
Home grown Dabur group, on Tuesday, pledged Rs 21 crore to support the relief efforts and help the immediate needs of people affected from the Covid-19 pandemic.The group will also provide assistance..
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Indian software major Infosys, too, joined the Covid-19 fight with a Rs 100 crore donation. The Infosys Foundation has contributed half of this amount to the PM CARES Fund to expand hospital capacity for treatment and enable hospital stays for poor Covid-19 patients. The Foundation recently said it would help set up a hospital in Bengaluru exclusively to treat people infected by the virus.
Sudha Murty, who is the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, said that “these are unprecedented times that require every section of the society to rise up to the challenge.” Infosys CEO Salil Parekh, while terming the Covid -19 pandemic as ‘one of the toughest challenges that the world has been faced with’, reiterated that it is imperative for businesses to join hands with the governments, civil society and healthcare institutions to support the communities.
Indian software major Infosys, too, joined the Covid-19 fight with a Rs 100 crore donation. The Infosys Foundation has contributed half of this amount to the PM CARES Fund to expand hospital capacity..
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On Sunday, as the country observed ‘Janata Curfew’ as a mark of appreciation for the selfless help provided by the caregivers, Anand Mahindra (in pic) shared some heartening news with his 7.5 mn followers on Twitter. The Mahindra Group chairman offered to convert Mahindra Holiday resorts as temporary care facilities. He also tweeted that the group will ‘immediately begin work on how our manufacturing facilities can make ventilators’.And that’s not all. He also pledged that the Mahindra Foundation will create a fund to assist SMEs and SMBs, ‘the hardest hit in our value chain’. The business tycoon himself pledged to contribute 100% of his salary to the fund, and keep adding to it over the course of the next few months.
On Sunday, as the country observed ‘Janata Curfew’ as a mark of appreciation for the selfless help provided by the caregivers, Anand Mahindra (in pic) shared some heartening news with his 7.5 mn fo..
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The Executive Chairman of Vedanta Resources Limited showed his generous side as he pledged Rs 100 cr to fight the pandemic. The 66-year-old Anil Agarwal (in pic), who tweeted a picture of his participation in the ‘Janata Curfew’, wrote on the micro-blogging platform that was ‘committing 100 cr towards fighting the Pandemic’. Expressing concern for the daily wage earners, he wrote that ‘we will do our bit to help’.
The Executive Chairman of Vedanta Resources Limited showed his generous side as he pledged Rs 100 cr to fight the pandemic. The 66-year-old Anil Agarwal (in pic), who tweeted a picture of his partici..
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