As various parts of India record Covid surges, and the government continues to grapple with its end-of-year deadline to vaccinate all adults, celebrities in India and the UK are joining hands in a fund-raising effort through a bi-location concert scheduled for Independence Day on August 15, 2021.

Big names like AR Rehman, Annie Lennox, Sir Mick Jagger and Ed Sheran have confirmed their participation in the event. This virtual fund-raising event – ‘We for India, Saving Lives’ – will take place in London and Mumbai simultaneously. Social action group ‘The World We Want’ is behind the initiative and the three-hour concert will be live-streamed via Facebook.

All proceeds from the concert will be used to purchase vital medical goods for Covid patients in India such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators, ICU beds and medication. Further aid will be given to staff at vaccination centres and people with financial difficulties on account of the pandemic.