Bengaluru:  Google chief executive Sundar Pichai has donated Rs 5 crore to Give India, matching Google's earlier donation to the non-profit organisation for the coronavirus pandemic.


Previously, Google had announced an over $800 million commitment towards efforts to tackle Covid-19 pandemic that that claimed thousands of lives globally. This includes $200 million investment fund for NGOs and banks to help small businesses access capital.

Besides, Google has also teamed up with Apple to work on a contact tracing approach designed with strong controls and protections for user privacy.

Corporate India has been rushing in to help the government and citizens fight the pandemic in India.

Tata Trusts and Tata group together have pledged Rs 1,500 crore -- by far the highest by any corporate.

Wipro Ltd, Wipro Enterprises Ltd and Azim Premji Foundation have together committed Rs 1,125 crore, while a number of other companies are also extending support efforts
like providing sanitizers, masks and meals to people.

Meanwhile, PM Modi will be addressing the nation at 10 am on April 14. 

It is widely expected that the PM will, in all likelihood, extend the lockdown till April 30. 

Apart from the extension, Modi is also expected to relax several services like domestic travel. 

He is also expected to relax agricultural practices with a bid to reopen a failing economy. 

Most importantly, he may talk to the citizens, thank them for their cooperation and infuse confidence in them. It is understandable the citizens would be frustrated. A pep talk by the Prime Minister himself would lift their spirits and bring them back to normal. It is also needless to say that Prime Minister enjoys phenomenal following and his words are followed most meticulously.

When he urged the people to follow Janata curfew and ring bells and light candles as a gesture of solidarity, the whole nation implemented his words with utmost zeal.

Using this clout that he enjoys, he may further impress the citizenry to follow guidelines to curb the spread of coronavirus.

(With PTI inputs)