In response to an unprecedented increase in coronavirus cases in India, Google will provide funding of Rs 135 crore for medical supplies and community outreach, according to CEO Sundar Pichai. Pichai, the CEO of Google and Alphabet, tweeted, “I am heartbroken to see the worsening Covid crisis in India. Google and Googlers are donating $135 million to @GiveIndia, @UNICEF, and organizations serving at-risk communities, as well as grants to help spread critical information.”
India, the world’s second-most populous nation, has been particularly hard hit by the Covid outbreak. On Sunday, India set a new world record for coronavirus infections, with 3.52 lakh new cases and 2,812 fatalities. This is the largest single-day spike recorded since the pandemic began. Hospitals in the country’s capital, Delhi, pleaded for more oxygen. To bring oxygen to the most remote parts of the world, the government has used trains and military aircraft. Pichai’s tweet also included a connection to a blog, where Google outlined ways to assist in their attempts to combat the deterioration of the situation.
Sanjay Gupta, country head and VP of Google India, wrote on his blog, “Today we’re announcing 135 crore (USD 18 million) in new funding for India.” This includes two grants totaling 20 crore from Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm (USD 2.6 million). The first is to GiveIndia, which will offer cash assistance to families most affected by the crisis to help with day-to-day expenses. The second will go to UNICEF to help bring critical medical supplies, such as oxygen and testing equipment, to where they are most needed in India. It also includes contributions from our ongoing employee giving program, to which over 900 Googlers have so far donated 3.7 crores (USD 500,000) for organizations that help high-risk and disadvantaged populations.”
Gupta also mentioned Ad Grant funding for public health information campaigns. “Increased Ad Grant support for public health awareness campaigns is also included in this funding. We’ve been assisting MyGov and the World Health Organization in reaching audiences with messages about how to stay healthy and vaccine information since last year. We are increasing our support today with an additional 112 crore (USD 15 million) in Ad Grants to local health authorities and non-profits for expanded language coverage “Gupta said.
“Google is now assisting India with its key information items such as Search and Maps, as well as YouTube and Advertising.” COVID Search features are now available in India, in English and eight Indian languages, with the aim of improving localization and highlighting authoritative content. “It provides information about where to get testing and vaccines.” Thousands of vaccine sites are revealed through Maps and Search. Google is also working closely with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as well as organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to support vaccine awareness campaigns,” he added.
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, has pledged Rs 5 crore in his personal capacity to combat the coronavirus pandemic in India. “Devastated to see India’s Covid crisis worsening,” Pichai tweeted. Meanwhile, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has offered his assistance in combating the current Covid crisis in India. “The current situation in India breaks my heart. I am thankful that the United States government is mobilizing to assist. Microsoft will continue to lend its voice, expertise, and technologies to relief efforts, including funding for the procurement of essential oxygen concentration products”, said Nadella.
