Salman Khan distributes 5,000 meal packets to frontline workers in Mumbai

Salman Khan’s Being Human Foundation and the I Love Mumbai Foundation have joined hands to serve frontline workers battling the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mumbai in a food truck named ‘Being Haangryy’. The truck is going to different parts of the city and serving food to the workers.

India is currently struggling to cope with a second — and far more deadly — wave of COVID-19 cases. Maharashtra, the largest contributor to the national caseload, has been under lockdown for more than two weeks now. During this time, frontline workers like medical and police personnel have continued to work day and night.

In these difficult times, actor-producer Khan stepped in to distribute refreshments and meals to some of these workers. A video of the effort has gone viral. Khan oversaw the arrangements personally and also tasted the food prepared for the workers.

Rahul Kanal, a member of the Shiv Sena's youth wing, tweeted thanks to Yuva Sena chief and state minister Aditya Thackeray and Salman Khan for making the effort possible.

Kanal told The Indian Express newspaper that as many as 5,000 food packets were distributed on Sunday and promised that the number will be doubled soon.

Since the last two weeks, there has been an acute shortage of ICU beds as well as medicines and ventilators in the state. Meanwhile, there has been a flood of posts on social media seeking help, be it donations or information. As the situation becomes more critical, a number of celebrities are stepping in to help, by highlighting the seriousness of the situation or by donating.

Bhumi Pednekar, who has tested positive for COVID-19, tweeted asking all those who need help to send details. She has since been retweeting the messages and getting her team to contact those they are in a position to help directly.

The actress also continues to raise awareness about plasma donation. In her latest Instagram post, she said, “India, we need you to come forward and donate plasma NOW.” She had previously posted a guide video for those who want to donate plasma but are unaware of the process. She said, “Your 1 donation can save a life.”

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja has also come forward to encourage those who have recovered from a bout of COVID-19 to donate plasma. She is also using her social media handles to help patients in need. She has shared mini-guides for caring for someone in hospital with COVID-19, a guide to plasma donation, and a guide on how to recover from the contagious virus.

Actor Gurmeet Choudhary took to social media yesterday to announce that he would be opening “ultra-modern 1,000 bed hospitals in Patna and Lucknow for the common man” to fight the pandemic.

Sonu Sood, who tested negative for COVID-19 on Friday, has continued his philanthropic work of helping migrant workers. He is also assisting COVID-19 patients to find the necessary medicines.

Actor Akshay Kumar donated Rs1 crore to the Gautam Gambhir Foundation for food, medicines and oxygen. Many other celebrities are sharing collated resources on social media platforms for people to visit in case of need.