TikTok donates Rs 100 cr towards to fight COVID-19 in India, gets lauded by Smriti Irani

Short video making platform TikTok has donated Rs 100 crore to fight the coronavirus outbreak in India, a step that has been lauded by Union Minister Smriti Irani. The Chinese app had donated 400,000 hazmat medical protective suits and 200,000 masks worth Rs 100 crore to protect doctors and frontline medical staff in India fighting the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

"In the global fight against the spread of COVID-19, doctors and supporting medical staff are the heroes at the forefront of combating this pandemic. While citizens are practicing social distancing and staying at home as a preventive measure, India's medical personnel are working tirelessly to keep all of us safe and protected. As a result, our medical doctors and health workers are the most vulnerable and exposed to the virus. At times like these, their safety is of utmost priority," the video-sharing social networking service company said in an official release.

In response, Irani shared a video on her Twitter handle, thanking the app and lauding its efforts.

WATCH | How to be a TikTok Star

“I thank @Gandhi1900 (Nikhil Gandhi) & @TikTok_IN for putting #IndiaFirst & donating 4,00,000 Hazmat Suits which fulfil specifications & strict criteria set by @MoHFW_INDIA,” the minister tweeted.

TikTok is one of the fastest growing apps in India, owned by ByteDance.

"The Government of India has been making concerted efforts to contain the spread of the virus and through this donation, we want to contribute towards this effort. With support from the Union Ministry of Textile, this essential gear, which meets the prescribed standards and guidelines, is being handed over to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India," the company had said.