Bollywood puts forces behind fundraising for quake-hit Nepal

At a time when Nepal is grappling with the consequences of a devastating earthquake, Indian film fraternity members like Anil Kapoor, Dia Mirza and Vir Das have urged their fans and friends to unite and donate through various sources for relief efforts.

Most stars of the tinsel town have extended support to an online fund-raising space – Ketto. “Rang De Basanti” actor Kunal Kapoor is co-founder of the platform, which is running an online campaign dedicated to help Nepal with the tag ‘JoinHandsforNepal’ on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Celebrities like Dia MIrza, Anupam Kher, Aditi Rao Hydari, Nargis Fakhri, Abhishek Bachchan, Gaurav Kapur and Lisa Ray have taken ahead the Ketto campaign.

The campaign aims at raising Rs.1,00,000, which will help buy 20 survival kits worth Rs.5,000 with essentials like tarpaulin, mats and hygiene kit. Funds raised under it will go to CARE INDIA which will help in rehabilitation process of Nepal.

“You can help me raise funds for #NepalQuakeRelief. Each survival kit costs INR5000/- #CareIndia @ketto http://ketto.org/JoinHandsforNepal … Thank you,” Dia posted on Twitter.

“I know a lot of you want to help the relief effort in Nepal. No amount is too big, or too small. Donate here http://ketto.org/cometogetherforNepa,” Gaurav shared.

If we talk about the young Bollywood brigade, they have also stepped foward to help the Himalayan nation. Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt and Shraddha Kapoor have got associated with Ketto campaign.

“People need our help!! Join hands with me and lets make it happen guys… Each survival kit costs 5000 rupees http://ketto.org/standbynepal,” the “Highway” actress Alia tweeted.

Filmmaker Karan Johar took to Twitter to ask his followers to send in their donations to Nepali Relief by photographer Rohan Shrestha, who has roots in Nepal. The community page strives to give onground help and supply things to the people of Kathmandu.

“Please extend all your support and contribute to the devastation in Nepal….www.facebook.com/nepalirelief ,” Johar wrote.

Nepal was jolted by an earthquake of 7.9-magnitude on Saturday, which has brought life in the Himalayan nation to a halt. The toll in the devastating quake has climbed to 3,351 dead and 6,833 injured.

Stand-up comedian-actor Vir Das has come up with an engaging way to help victims. Vir has sent out a message to all his fans to get essential things to his gigs for people in Nepal, which he will try to send to the people who need them the most right now.

“We are spending the day trying to tie up with the right NGOs to set up a collection drive for Nepal at each show of the #UnbelievableTour. The idea is for you to bring anything you can spare to the show. Some medicine, some products (which we shall give you details on), a blanket, types of clothes etc and we are trying to find the right people to send it across to those who need it,” a post on his Facebook page read.

Internationally acclaimed filmmaker and actor Shekhar Kapur asked his followers on Twitter to support an initiative by Unicef (United Nations Children’s Fund).

A form needs to be filled to make a secure, tax-deductible donation to the US Fund for Unicef, supporting its relief efforts to rehabilitate Nepal. Any amount – $50, $100, $250, $500 – can be donated, which will be used to provide critical aid to children and families.

“Nepal children’s relief fund http://www.supportunicef.org/site/c.dvKUI9OWInJ6H/b.9274583/k.FBFF/Help_Children_in_Nepal_Donate_for_earthquake_response.htm … #NepalEarthquake,” Kapur tweeted.

Anil Kapoor has asked his fans to send in their contribution through Britain’s Save the Children organisation, which is working towards meeting urgent needs of children in Nepal.

“Thoughts & prayers to all – support the relief response here http://bit.ly/1HDRqyC #NepalEarthquake,” Anil posted.

Inputs by IANS