TiE and GiveIndia Host “I Breathe For India”, Global Celebrity Fundraiser To Support The Fight Against COVID-19 in India

TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) Singapore, the local chapter of the global TiE community and largest global entrepreneur and investor foundation today announced it has galvanised the global community of TiE and joined hands with GiveIndia to host I Breathe For India. This is a global celebrity fundraiser to be held on 9 May 2021, to raise funds for India’s ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This event is organised in collaboration with the IIT Alumni Association Singapore (IITAAS), a non-profit organisation which brings together the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) alumni network. 

India is currently experiencing a devastating second wave of COVID-19 infections, with the country recording more than 300,000 cases daily for 12 consecutive days. 

I Breathe For India aims to raise USD 1 million and provide support for India, in its battle against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

The funds raised will be used to address four major areas of COVID-19 relief efforts in India:

1. Purchase and secure oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, ventilators, and other medical supplies in critical need in the immediate and short term
2. Arrange and coordinate transport for oxygen concentrators and critical medical equipment
3. Work with federal or state government institutions and NGOs to support their objectives for medium-term medical infrastructure
4. Setting up of oxygen plants in hospitals and supporting other rehabilitation efforts in the mid-long term

The virtual fundraising event will be graced by some of India’s most prominent and inspiring figures from the entertainment and sports communities. Notable names include Bollywood stars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, Anil Kapoor, and Rana Daggubati, sports champions Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant and more. All proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards non-profit organisation GiveIndia, to support India’s battle against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

Donations towards I Breathe For India can be made at: https://fundraisers.giveindia.org/fundraisers/i-breathe-for-india-virtual-fundraiser-to-help-india-battle-the-covid-crisis 

This fundraiser is one of the activities under TiE Singapore’s  Mission India, which seeks to raise USD 1 million within 14 days, running from 29 April to 12 May 2021. The funds are used to secure and deliver oxygen concentrators and medical equipment to hospitals across multiple cities in India. Over SGD 150,000 has been raised as of 6 May 2021, 2pm SGT.

In addition to the “I Breathe for India” fundraiser, TiE Singapore is collaborating with two platforms, Singapore registered non-profit Giving.sg and global crowdfunding platform Milaap to help achieve its goal. Both platforms do not impose service charges on the transactions, and contributors can be assured that all donations will serve its intended purpose. Both these platforms currently offer various payment options, enabling different modes of transactions.

• If you/your company would like to contribute to a Singapore registered non-profit, you can do so via: https://www.giving.sg/campaigns/missionindia

• Otherwise you/your company could donate via: https://milaap.org/MissionIndia

QUOTES

Commenting on the celebrity fundraiser, Amit Gupta, President of TiE Singapore, said,  “The effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are wide ranging, and it is crucial that individuals and organisations do what they can to provide aid to those in need of it. Through this fundraiser, we hope to provide both monetary and social support to India, showing them that in the thick of things, India is not alone in their battle. With the support that we have garnered thus far, it has shown us that even in adversity, our society does not lose its humanity and everyone stands in solidarity with the people in India.” 

CEO and Founder 2.0 of GiveIndia, Atul Satija, said, “We are extremely grateful for this show of solidarity with India in this extreme hour of need. The I Breathe For India campaign is born out of real compassion and understanding of the realities on the ground – and we appreciate the effort put in by Lara Dutta & Shayamal Vallabhjee and TiE in bringing everyone together, thank you.”

Lara Dutta, Bollywood star and host of I Breathe For India, shared, “The COVID-19 crisis in India has left people literally gasping for air. People are dying outside hospitals due to a lack of beds and oxygen on a daily basis and these are under-reported figures. Children have lost their parents to COVID-19 and some families have lost their primary breadwinners. India is reeling under a medical crisis and requires our help more than ever. Every donation towards the I Breathe For India fundraiser will be matched by our donors at TiE. GiveIndia is also working tirelessly to ensure that funds donated reach the people who need it most. I am blessed and fortunate to be able to play my part in ensuring that together along with my fellow colleagues from the film industry,  we will do whatever it takes to overcome this crisis.”