Actor Akshay Kumar pledged Rs 1 crore to cricketer and BJP leader Gautam Gambhir‘s Delhi -based NGO, which is helping people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking to Twitter, the 39-year-old BJP MP on Saturday evening said, “Every help in this gloom comes as a ray of hope. Thanks a lot Akshay Kumar for committing Rs 1 crore to Gautam Gambhir Foundation for food, meds and oxygen for the needy! God bless.”

The ‘Sooryavansham’ actor replied to Gautam Gambhir in a tweet, saying, “These are really tough times, Gautam Gambhir. Glad I could help. Wish we all get out of this crisis soon. Stay Safe.”

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The step by Akshay Kumar, who is known for his philanthropist ventures, comes amid India’s battle with the lethal second wave of COVID-19 as several hospitals across the nation are struggling with an acute shortage for medical oxygen. 

Delhi hospitals over the last few days have sent out multiple SOS calls, saying that they worth an hour or two hours of medical oxygen left. Delhi’s Jaipur Golden Hospital on Saturday said that over past night, 20 patients died in the hospital due to lack of oxygen. A day before, 25 sickest patients died in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Also Read | ‘Consider reducing patient intake’: Delhi hospital urges help amid oxygen shortage

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kerjriwal on Sunday extended the lockdown imposed in the national capital by another six days, till 5 am on May 3. 

Delhi recorded the highest single-day rise in its COVID-19 deaths with 357 more people succumbing to the viral disease on Saturday as well as over 24,000 fresh cases. The city has reported nearly 2,500 deaths due to the deadly virus in a 12-day period.