- Sputnik International, 1920
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From Microsoft CEO to Greta Thunberg: As India Gasps for Breath, Global Support Pours in

© REUTERS / DANISH SIDDIQUIA person with a breathing problem receives oxygen support for free inside her car at a Gurudwara (Sikh temple), amidst the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Ghaziabad, India, April 24, 2021.
A person with a breathing problem receives oxygen support for free inside her car at a Gurudwara (Sikh temple), amidst the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Ghaziabad, India, April 24, 2021. - Sputnik International, 1920, 26.04.2021
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The demand for medical oxygen has dramatically surged amid the second wave of COVID-19 in India as the country is struggling with a massive shortage. Industry figures indicate that while pre-COVID demand for oxygen was 700 tonnes per day (TPD), the demand increased to 2,800 TPD last year and is now over 5,000 TPD during the second pandemic wave.

As scary scenarios unfold in hospitals across India, including Delhi, with  the deaths of COVID-19 patients being reported amid a lack of oxygen supplies, the nation battling the second wave of the deadly pandemic has received moral support from business tycoons, environmental activists, and even cricketers.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, an Indian-American business executive, took to Twitter to express how saddened and "heartbroken" he is by the situation in India, which registered 352,991 new COVID-19 cases in a record surge over the past 24 hours.

An emotional appeal by former captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team, Shoaib Akhtar, who sought the support of his fans and the Pakistani government for people in dire need of oxygen in India, has touched a lot of hearts, too.

The video, where Akhtar asks the Pakistani government and people to help India with ambulances and oxygen has garnered 732,000 views on Twitter.

"It is impossible for any government to tackle such a crisis. I appeal from my heart to please help our brothers and sisters, our elders in India in need of oxygen and medicines", said Akhtar.

His tweet was met with appreciation and sarcasm alike, but Indian actress Swara Bhasker expressed her gratitude for the solidarity and kindness.

​Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has also since reacted to a news report about people dying amid a shortage of oxygen in hospitals, urging the international community to offer assistance to the COVID-hit country.

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