India’s diaspora boosts virus fight from afar

India’s large diaspora—long a boon to India’s economy—is tapping its wealth, political clout, and expertise to help its home country combat the catastrophic coronavirus surge that has left people to die outside overwhelmed hospitals.

Around the world, people of Indian descent are donating money, setting up telehealth consultations and information sessions, and personally delivering desperately needed oxygen equipment in hopes of beating back the outbreak.

In Britain, volunteers at three Hindu temples raised more than £600,000 ($830,000) in early May by racking up 12,506 miles on stationary bikes, or roughly three times the distance from London to New Delhi. In Canada, Sikhs have donated between $700 and $2,000 to each of dozens of people in need of costly oxygen cylinders.