Tuesday, 06 July 2021 | Pioneer
The star-studded line up for the virtual concert, Vax India Now, seeks to make an impact on the vaccination front at the ground level in India
The Anuradha Palakurthi Foundation has come up with a novel way to support India’s vaccination drive— a fundraiser in the form of a virtual music concert entitled Vax India Now.
Scheduled to be held tomorrow, the virtual fundraiser will be hosted by Hasan Minhaj, of the Patriot Act fame. Speaking on the occasion, Indian-American singer Anuradha Juju Palakurthi said, “Artists have catalysed many social movements by driving participation and awareness. Our organising team is honoured by the support we have been receiving from the artist community. Scientists estimate that Indian herd immunity kicks in with 600 million more adult vaccinations. India has already demonstrated that it has the capacity to vaccinate 10 million people a day. Strictly theoretically, this problem can be solved in 60 days. With concerted global citizen-ownership we can compress the actual time.”
Vax India Now has a growing lineup, boasting names such as Gloria Estefan, Sting, Alicia Keys, Annie Lennox, Yoyo Ma, A R Rahman, Josh Groban, Aasif Mandvi, Andrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli, David Foster, Norwegian DJ Alan Walker, Pia Toscano, Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar, Zubin Mehta, Nishat Khan, Ranjani-Gayatri Sisters, Fareed Zakaria and Anuradha. Apart from these famed musicians, Vax India Now will also be graced by Hollywood actor Liam Neeson as well as some Bollywood counterparts such as Anil Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Katrina Kaif and Sonakshi Sinha.
Katrina believes that in these uncertain times, we have to help each other. “I am honoured to be a part of the Anuradha Palakurthi Foundation’s noble initiative Vax India Now as they help the nation fight COVID-19 through much-needed vaccination drives. During these testing times, we must lend a helping hand because only together we can defeat the virus,” is what she had to say.
Kapoor expressed his pleasure at being able to contribute to such an initiative, “It gives me immense pleasure to contribute to the Indian community through my talent. I believe this initiative is the need of the hour, and shall help ramp up the vaccination drive in the coming weeks. During times like these, I urge one and all to extend their support towards this noble initiative.”
