COVID-19 surge: A look at how Bengaluru’s celebrities are doing their bit during the crisis

Arranging hospital beds, oxygen cylinders, medicines, distributing food among other essentials for those affected by the second wave keep them busy.

Raghu Dixit’s phone goes unanswered when The Hindu tried reaching him on Friday. A few minutes later, he sends a text via Whatsapp: ‘In the middle of sorting out an ICU. Will call back soon!’ He does not call. The next day, he apologises for not calling back. “It was a bit hectic. Too many requests for oxygen and ICU beds.” Mr. Dixit and several celebrities in the city are arranging hospital beds, oxygen cylinders, medicines, food among other essentials for those affected by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, towards the end of May, Mr. Dixit had composed an anthem for a COVID-19 fundraiser. He was helping people through his art. “That was a very mild phase compared to what we are going through right now,” he says. So, music has taken a back seat. Help is more hands-on now. He has converted his studio into a ‘war room’ of sorts with four computers, which he uses to track people who require help.