Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar on Friday donated Rs 50 lakh to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far claimed 17 Indian lives and wreaked havoc globally.
The iconic batsman also took to Twitter to urge fellow countrymen to not ostracise any fellow citizen who might have contracted the dreaded virus.
Tendulkar's donation is so far the biggest contribution among India's leading sportspersons, some of whom have pledged their salaries while a few others have donated medical equipment to fight the dreaded outbreak, which has caused more than 24,000 deaths globally.
"Sachin Tendulkar decided to contribute Rs 25 lakh each to Prime Minister's Relief Fund and Chief Minister's Relief Fund in his bid to join the fight against COVID-19. It was his decision that he wanted to contribute to both funds," a source privy to the development, told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Tendulkar has been associated with a lot of charity work and there has been umpteen times, he has taken up social causes, helped people, which has never been brought to public notice.
Among other prominent cricketers, the Pathan brothers—Irfan and Yusuf—donated 4,000 face masks to Baroda police and health department.
Among athletes from other disciplines, wrestler Bajrang Punia and sprinter Hima Das are some of the prominent names to have donated their salaries in the battle against the dreaded virus which has led to a 21-day national lockdown.
"As a society, it is our responsibility that those among us who have tested positive for COVID-19 get our love and we don't make them feel ashamed," Tendulkar said in a video on his Twitter page.
"Maintain social distancing but don't alienate them from the society. We can win this war against coronavirus if we support each other," he added.