Coronavirus Outbreak: Pullela Gopichand donates Rs 26 lakh; Pankaj Advani, Dhanraj Pillay among others who contribute

Indian badminton team’s chief coach Pullela Gopichand, multiple world title-holder cueist Pankaj Advani, former hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay were some of the prominent names who made financial contributions in country’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

In India, more than 4000 people have been tested positive with 120 plus losing their lives.

Gopichand, a former All England champion donated Rs 26 lakh with 15 lakh to PM Cares fund while Rs 5 lakh each to both Andhra and Telangana state governments.

Advani and Pillay, two of India’s finest in their respective sports contributed Rs 5 lakh each to the PM Cares Fund.

“A small gesture for a mammoth cause. Contributed Rs 5 Lakhs to the PM CARES Fund. Let’s spread awareness, love, compassion and the spirit of unity for the greater good of humanity. Jai Hind!,” Advani tweeted.

The 23-time world champion in billiards and snooker thus joined a list of top sportspersons comprising master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, India skipper Virat Kohli, Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Kedar Jadhav, spin wizard Anil Kumble, table tennis player G Sathiyan, who have donated for the noble cause.

A small gesture for a mammoth cause. Contributed Rs 5 Lakhs to the PM CARES Fund. Let’s spread awareness, love, compassion and the spirit of unity for the greater good of humanity. Jai Hind! #PMCARESFund #COVID19 @narendramodi @PMOIndia @KirenRijiju

— Pankaj Advani (@PankajAdvani247) April 6, 2020

I-League football club Minerva Punjab donated Rs 5 lakh with Rs 2 lakh to the PM Cares and Rs 1 lakh each to the Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh state governments.