Advertisement

Gloria Estefan, Sting and More Join Vax India Now Virtual Fundraiser

Gloria Estefan, Sting, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Yo-Yo Ma and David Foster, Norwegian DJ Alan Walker, Aasif Mandvi, Nishat Khan, Ranjani Gayatri Sisters and Matteo Bocelli will unite for global virtual fundraiser Vax India Now. More celebrities will be announced as the July 7 event date approaches.

Through a global effort, Vax India Now aims to bring attention and resources to India on a massive scale. The push comes in light of the catastrophic second wave of COVID-19 that ravaged India and saw more than 400,000 cases in one day and left 377,000 dead. The event also will serve as a spotlight for what’s happening on the ground in India and how viewers can help save lives.

More from Variety

Vax India Now was started by Anuradha Palakurthi, who runs a foundation in New England that promotes Indian culture. When the second wave hit, Palakurthi watched the carnage take over India. Some of her own family and friends even became sick and died. As she saw in the U.S., Palakurthi knew the only solution was mass distribution of vaccinations. Putting into motion real action, she reached out to The Giving Back Fund and together they developed Vax India Now.

“When our longtime board member Prashanth Palakurthi proposed doing something truly significant on a worldwide scale to help his native India at this critical time, we jumped at the chance to help,” The Giving Back Fund President and Founder Marc Pollick said. “This is what we are built for— to mobilize quickly and provide assistance and philanthropic administration to help those in need. At this moment in time, the need in India must become the center of the universe.”

The Giving Back Fund is the main benefactor of Vax India Now. It will be globally livestreamed by CNN and Dreamtage.live and will be available for viewing on CNN’s YoutTube channel and Vax India Now’s website. JuJu Productions, Charles Goldstuck, Marc Johnston, Erich Bergen, Wizcraft International Entertainment and Neelesh Misra of Gaon Connection serve as producers. Watch the event trailer below.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.