Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 31, 2020)

After several cops tested positive for Coronavirus, and some even succumbed to the virus, actors Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal have decided to partake in a collaborative campaign that allows people to donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to front-line workers. PPE has been in short supply ever since the number of cases started rising in the country and the duo has joined the campaign, that was kicked off by photographer Atul Kasbekar and actor Vidya Balan, who pledged to donate 1000 PPE kits.

Springing into action, Chadha and Fazal spoke in a video message, about how cops have turned into superheroes, but also require protective gear because they are in close contact with people. Calling for a donation of PPE kits, the actors urged their fans and followers to make a donation. Those who do, will receive a detailed email about where their donated kits have been delivered, and the couple will send them a personal thank you video message too.

Richa says, “This pandemic is exposing all the weak spots in our healthcare and social infrastructure. Cops are vulnerable to the infection because they’re always handling crowds. So we decided to come together and help out in a tiny way. Hope this encourages others to donate PPEs to the police force too.”

Ali adds, “I think both, Richa and me, and others like us are right now sitting in comfortable positions. Hence, when something interesting like this campaign came our way, we took it up. This was a great opportunity for us to open doors to yet another platform, just like Vidya Balan did, and couple of other people have done, to invite people to donate PPE kits.”