(August 16, 2021) Back in July this year the US-based Anuradha Palakurthi Foundation had organized Vax.India.Now, a virtual fundraiser to support India in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, that fundraiser has raised more than $5 million, the organizers recently announced. The concert that was live streamed globally on July 7 was hosted by comic and actor Hasan Minhaj and featured the likes of Liam Neeson, Annie Lennox, AR Rahman, Pia Toscano, Zubin Mehta, Gloria Estefan, Sting, Yo Yo Ma, David Foster, DJ Alan Walker, Matteo Bocelli and Josh Groban among several others.
- In a statement, Anuradha Palakurthi, the Boston-based Indian singer said,
“The dedicated, multi-national 160-person organization team is proud to have raised meaningful resources in India’s battle against this awful pandemic. I am grateful to the celebrities for lending their time and talent in particular, the immediacy of their response and commitment to the cause.”
- Proceeds from the concert went to UNICEF and AIF to aid their efforts in ensuring that millions of pandemic affected children and families in India have access to life-saving assistance and services to help COVID-19 vaccines reach those in need. The campaign is still open on VaxIndiaNow.com with the Foundation continuing to welcome donations to help the subcontinent vaccinate individuals to prevent more variants and stop COVID-19.