NRN Murthy & Sudha Murty get Covishield jab; Uday Kotak says 1st shot was 'smooth'; Biocon boss calls vaccine a booster dose
Ravi Shastri & Kamal Haasan also got their first dose of Covid vaccine.
By ET Online and Agencies |
Agencies
India's inoculation drive entered its second phase on Monday in which the coverage was expanded to include everyone above 60 and those over 45 with co-morbidities. (In pic, left to right - clockwise: Uday Kotak, Ravi Shastri, Kamal Haasan and NRN Murthy)
India took a step forward in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic on Monday as it began the process of administering the vaccine to citizens. With some help from the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech's 'Covaxin' - developed with the help of the Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute of Virology - and 'Covishield' which was jointly processed by the Oxford University, British-Swedish company AstraZeneca, and manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune, the country found hope as pictures of people taking the shots surfaced. The inoculation drive entered its second phase on Monday in which the coverage was expanded to include everyone above 60 and those over 45 with co-morbidities.
Ever since the roll-out of the biggest vaccination programme of the world on January 16, several corporate India veterans, leaders of the nation and other well-known personalities have shown confidence in the medical advancements.
From Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was one of the first to take the shot at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences, to Infosys founders, and Team India coach Ravi Shastri, several prominent names have come forward and taken their first jab of the Covid vaccine.
Kotak Mahindra Bank CEO began the new month of March on a positive note, by taking his first vaccine shot on Tuesday morning. Sharing a picture of himself on Twitter taking the jab, the 61-year-old Uday Kotak called the experience painless and 'smooth'.
Happy to share that I took the first shot of the vaccine this morning. Smooth and no pain. https://t.co/G225LgDNCQ
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon Limited, also decided to trust the advances made by Covishield, and took her first shot on Monday. She took the jab at world-renowned cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Shetty's Bangalore-based Narayana Health (NH).
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The 67-year-old biotech boss said that the process was painless, and she didn't experience any injection-related side-effects. She further called it a booster dose as she had contracted the infection six months ago.
Urging 'eligible' people to get vaccinated, Mazumdar-Shaw stressed on the need to keep the country safe. "Feel safe & protected," she emphasised.
I just got vaccinated at @NarayanaHealth - painless no injection related side effects. I guess it’s a booster dose… https://t.co/TLvoHYESCc
Soon after, reports of Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy and philanthropist-wife Sudha Murty taking their first Covishield shot started coming in. In an exclusive interaction with ET, the septuagenarian power-couple said that they went to the NH hospital in Bengaluru after getting registered on Monday, and will visit for their second dose 28 days later.
The Bengaluru-based couple will follow experts' advice for stepping out after completing the two-course vaccination, but will continue to wear the mask.
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Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan also got his Covishield vaccine, alongside Dr Shetty who was one of the first doctors to get the jab.
During the weekend, RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka confirmed that he took his first official Covishield vaccine over two weeks ago.
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The 63-year-old businessman called the jab an 'almost painless prick', but experienced some side-effects like minor fever and headache for some time. He further revealed that he felt completely normal in 48 hours.
Further urging the people to take the vaccine, Goenka asked people to not hesitate taking the shot, and called it a life saver. "Most others had no after effects at all," he wrote.
I took my Covishield vaccine over two weeks back. Yes, officially.Almost painless prick, minor feverish feeling, s… https://t.co/w8nJZFMZ34
In mid-January, SII CEO Adar Poonawalla had shared a 16-second video on Twitter, where he was seen being administered the Covishield vaccine by one of the healthcare workers. "It brings me great pride that Covishield is part of this historic effort, and to endorse its safety and efficacy," he wrote.
I wish India & Sri @narendramodi ji great success in launching the world’s largest COVID vaccination roll-out. It b… https://t.co/FEp1qi1MxG
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) 1610780651000
Alongside a picture of himself getting the vaccine shot, Ravi Shastri thanked the staff at the Apollo Hospital, Ahmedabad, for their co-operation and support. The 58-year-old said that he was 'extremely impressed with the professionalism' shown by the Apollo team.
It is not immediately known whether any other member of the Indian team's support staff was inoculated. The Indian cricket team is locked in a Test battle against England in Ahmedabad. The fourth and final Test in the series, which the hosts are leading 2-1, will start at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.
Got the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Thank you to the amazing medical professionals & scientists for empowering… https://t.co/8yuJ9O21gq
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) 1614659642000
Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder and veteran actor Kamal Haasan also took to social media to confirm that he received his first Covid vaccine shot at Sri Ramachandra Hospital in Chennai.
Accompanied with a picture of him getting vaccinated, the 66-year-old actor-politician urged people to get vaccinated for the sake of themselves and others. His message, though, had subtle political undertones as he hinted at the forthcoming Assembly elections on April 6 with his tweet "Immunisation of the body immediately (and) vaccination against corruption next month. Get ready."
ஸ்ரீ ராமச்சந்திரா மருத்துவமனையில் கொரோனாவைரஸ் தடுப்பூசி போட்டுக்கொண்டேன். தன் மேல் மாத்திரமல்ல, பிறர் மேல் அக்கறையு… https://t.co/5hFutYgJBk
The leaders of the country weren't far behind in getting their vaccination in the second phase.
Earlier on Monday morning, PM Modi took his first dose of Covaxin at All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Soon after receiving the first shot, he took to the micro-blogging site to share an image of himself. "Remarkable how our doctors and scientists have worked in quick time to strengthen the global fight against COVID-19," his tweet read.
Took my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS. Remarkable how our doctors and scientists have worked in qui… https://t.co/BRITi5BPrX
According to various reports, Modi's first words after getting the jab were, "Vaccine laga bhi diya? Pataa bhi nahin chala!". (Already done? I didn't feel a thing).
PM @narendramodi takes #COVAXIN as nationwide drive to cover senior citizen begins. PM hails doctors and scientists… https://t.co/jPXuSEd6fy
The Vice-President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, also got his first shot at the Government Medical College in Chennai, on Monday. He will take the second dose after 28 days.
I took my first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Government Medical College, Chennai today. I will be taking the 2nd d… https://t.co/Zp1kYzoDKo
— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) 1614587599000
The doctors from the Medanta hospital in Gurugram administered the first shot of the Covid vaccine to Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah on Monday. He had tested positive for Covid in August last year.
On Tuesday, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and his wife, Nutan Goel, took the first dose of vaccine at the Delhi Heart and Lung Institute.
Watch Now !Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan set to get inoculated with #COVID19Vaccine at Delhi Heart & Lun… https://t.co/1ApYK0UXpV
Appealing people to get vaccinated for a #CovidFreeOdisha, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik he said that he was grateful to the scientists and health workers for their race against time to deliver the vaccines.
Happy to share that I took my first dose of #COVID19 vaccine today. Grateful to our scientists, health workers for… https://t.co/AdkUBbBDHW
The COVID-19 vaccines - Covaxin and Covishield - have been made available to the general public.
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..