Even as Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas sought aid for the victims of the devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, a number of international stars have stepped in to help. Will Smith, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling and Kunal Nayyar were among the few who took to social media to spread the word about the disaster that is unfolding in the country.
Mindy Kaling shared an update about the ongoing situation in India, calling for her fans and supporters to donate to charitable institutions that are helping on the ground. "No matter where you’re from, what’s happening in the largest democracy in the world is a humanitarian crisis - India needs us. This is real and devastating. Covid cases/deaths are on a rise & we have to help," she wrote.
The host of A LIttle Late with Lilly Singh, Lilly Singh, shared the same charitable institution calling for help. Remarking on the anti-mask protests in USA, she wrote, "When you see things like this, it becomes so frustrating to witness people in privileged places protesting over masks and safety protocol. My god, we are so lost and we must keep working. Please donate."
The number of COVID-19 infections in India have spiralled since early April, with fatalities also on the rise.
Nayyar, who starred in the popular television show The Big Bang Theory, also took to social media to spread the information about the pandemic. The actor shared details of a COVID relief event for India which will feature several celebrities including the speakers Deepak Chopra and Gaur Gopal, and composers Jay Sean and Willow Smith.
The Indian-origin celebrities were not alone, with several international names like singer Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, as well as talk show host Ellen DeGeneres also spreading the word on social media. Mendes has teamed up with Jay Shetty to contribute to Give India Foundation.
Singer Katy Perry was among the many who were taken aback at the shocking data that has come out. The singer wrote, "You may have heard about the devastation the pandemic is having in India right now: Each day a new world record is set for the number of Covid cases (386,453 JUST TODAY according to @NPR) with the peak still to come. Hospitals have stopped admitting patients because they are running low on vital supplies and equipment, including oxygen..."
Witherspoon was among the supporters of Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas's call to donate for India online. The Academy Award-winning actress wrote in a story, "What is happening in India with COVID is an urgent situation. Please help if you can."
Meanwhile, Smith and wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, have contributed to the Give India fundraiser by Jay Shetty. Smith had last made an appearance in India for the Dharma Productions venture, Student Of The Year 2 (2019).
India has also seen a number of prominent names come forward to seek for help on behalf of citizens and amplify information.