Rishabh Pant donates to help provide oxygen cylinders, beds in fight against Covid-19 crisis

India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant on Saturday said he is donating to help Covid-19 patients across the country with oxygen cylinders, beds and medical kits. The Delhi Capitals captain said he is keen on working with organisations that provide aid to patients rural and non-metro cities.

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Rishabh Pant donates to help provide oxygen cylinders, beds in fight against Covid-19 crisis
Rishabh Pant donates in fight against Covid-19: Deeply affected by scale of despair (AFP Photo)

In Short

  • Rishabh Pant donates to Hemkunt Foundation to provide oxygen cylinders and beds
  • Pant said he is keen on working with organisations to help rural parts and non-metro cities
  • India has been battling a severe 2nd wave of Covid-19 infections

India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant on Saturday said he is making a monetary donation to help purchase oxygen cylinders and boost the availability of beds and medical kits for Covid-19 patients across the country. Pant also said he is keen on working with organisations to help aid the fight against the pandemic in "rural India and non-metro cities".

Rishabh Pant took to social media on Saturday and said he is deeply affected by the scale of despair in the country due to the 2nd wave of Covid-19 pandemic. The young wicketkeeper paid his tribute to the frontline workers, adding that these unprecedented times need collective efforts from the people of India.

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India has severely hit by the 2nd wave of infections. India logged a record one-day rise in Covid-19 deaths as cases surged by more than 400,000 for the third consecutive day. Covid-19 cases rose by 401,078 on Friday.

'Keen to work with organisations to help rural India and non-metro cities'

"The scale of despair across our country has been immense and something I have been deeply affected by. As someone who has seen personal loss up close, my heart goes out to all the families who have suffered over the past year and I pray for the souls of those who have left us," Rishabh Pant said in a social media post.

"One of the most important aspects I have learned from sport is the power of working together as a team for a common cause. I salute our frontline workers, who have been working tirelessly to help India throughout the past year. However, the cause of helping India overcome these unprecedented times needs all our collective efforts."

"I am supporting the Hemkunt Foundation through a monetary donation that will help provide O2 cylinders with beds, Covid-relief kits and much more to those suffering across the country. I am especially keen to work with organisations providing medical aid and support to rural India and non-metro cities, which do not have the capacity of medical infrastructure than that of the major cities."

"I urge everyone to contribute in their own way so that we can help reach the remotest part of the country and spread awareness about COVID relief and vaccination programs being run by the central and state governments."

"Please remember to stay safe, follow safety protocols, and get vaccinated, when possible," he added.

Pant was leading Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021 before the T20 tournament was suspended due to positive Covid-19 cases in bio-bubbles of as many as 4 franchises in Ahmedabad and Delhi. Notably, Pant's teammate Amit Mishra tested positive for Covid-19.

Pant joins the growing list of cricketers and other sports stars from the country who are contributing to aid the fight against Covid-19. The likes of Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Shikhar Dhawan, Pat Cummins, Brett Lee are among the many who have made monetary donations to help aid medical infrastructure in the country.

Pant has been picked as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the much-anticipated World Test Championship final and the 5-Test series against England which will be played in the UK from June to September.