Dubai: Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and an NRI founded healthcare facility in the UAE have committed to offer Rs 1.69 crore to support the needy and the downtrodden in India.
Inaugurating the 150th outlet of Aster Pharmacy in Abu Dhabi on Monday, Tendulkar, who is the brand ambassador of Aster DM Healthcare's Aster Pharmacy vertical, said, "In fact, I debuted for India in 1989 which happens to be the same year that Aster Pharmacy opened its first outlet and both of us did well from there on".
"I am particularly impressed about responsible and responsive manner in which Aster DM Healthcare touches the lives of thousands of people around the region," he said.
The legendary cricketer and recipient of Bharat Ratna - India's highest civilian award - Tendulkar and the Aster DM Healthcare have committed to offer 1 million dirhams (1.69 crore rupees or USD 2.72 lakh) on various initiatives to support the needy and the downtrodden in India, the healthcare said in a statement.
"Mr Tendulkar's presence and support will help us to reach out to the society better and more efficiently on our various community initiatives," Anoop Moopen, Director of the healthcare said.
Tendulkar said he is delighted to be appointed as the brand ambassador of the healthcare company.
"This will help Aster Pharmacy to showcase many unique products and services to the customers. It will also aid the task of educating the masses about the importance of healthy living and safe medication.
"Sachin will also be a part of our Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives helping to spread the message and reach out to the public with socially relevant causes," Azad Moopen, Chairman and Managing Director of the healthcare, a native of Kerala and Delhi University alumnus, said.
