COVID-19: Mary Kom donates one-month salary to PM relief fund

    30-Mar-2020
NEW DELHI, Mar 30
Six-time world champion boxer MC Mary Kom on Monday said she will donate her one month's salary as Rajya Sabha MP, amounting to Rs 1 lakh, to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
"In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, I wish to donate my one month's salary to the PM National Relief Fund. So, please debit an amount of Rs 1,00,000 from my account," Mary Kom said in a letter to the bank where her salary account is maintained.
The Manipuri, who is also a Commonwealth and Asian Games champion, became a Rajya Sabha MP in 2016.
She also gave her "consent for release of Rupees one crore from my next MPLADS installment due for release by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation".
Mary Kom recently qualified for her second Olympic Games, which has been postponed to 2021 due to the deadly outbreak.
The pandemic has brought all sporting activity to a grinding halt across the globe.
Kohli, Anushka pledge support to fight COVID-19 pandemic
India skipper Virat Kohli and his actor wife Anushka Sharma on Monday pledged their support to the Prime Minister and the Maharashtra Chief Minster’s relief funds to combat the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, which has left the world in disarray.
Kohli, who has been constantly urging people to practice social-distancing via video messages, took to Twitter to announce the decision. However, he did not specify how much the couple would be donating.
“Anushka and I are pledging our support towards PM-CARES Fund & the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (Maharashtra). Our hearts are breaking looking at the suffering of so many & we hope our contribution, in some way, helps easing the pain of our fellow citizens #IndiaFightsCorona”
The coronavirus outbreak has infected over 1000 people in India with 27 people succumbing to the disease.
A number of sports personalities have come forward to contribute in the fight against the disease, which has caused 34,000 deaths across the globe.
Last week, batting legend Sachin Tendulkar had donated Rs 50 lakh while former cricketer Suresh Raina contributed Rs 52 lakh.
Shuttler P V Sindhu, wrestler Bajrang Punia, sprinter Hima Das and BCCI President Sourav Gangully have also come forward to provide financial aid to fight the pandemic. The BCCI has contributed Rs 51 crore to PM Relief fund. PTI