International Nurses Day: Hollywood and Bollywood pay tribute to front line workers

The role of healthcare workers becomes especially pronounced in times of a great disaster. This year is no different - as the claws of COVID-19 lash out relentlessly at the world, we begin to appreciate just a little more the sacrifices and hard work put in by these protectors. And so people across generations, ages and backgrounds celebrate the silent and stoic warriors on our frontlines. And the stars come out to pay tribute. On International Nurses Day – marked on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth – here’s a look at what some celebrities from Bollywood and one from Hollywood had to say.

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, whose credits include 2003’s hit ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.’ tweeted: “So many lives have been saved because of the selfless work that our nurses and the healthcare professionals are doing. Can't thank them enough for putting their lives at risk to save the lives of others. #InternationalNursesDay.”

Star of the big-screen Kajol Devgn tweeted: “Behind that mask is a hero, who is saving the world in silence. Thank you to all those heroes, thank you to the nurses.”

Actress Jacqueline Fernandez put up an emoi-filled Instagram post. "A big big thank you for all that you do ❤️.....Your caring hands are nursing the world to health and I hope the care and kindness that you provide comes back to warm your hearts !🙏🏻" she wrote.

Actor-singer Shraddha Kapoor, whose credits include ‘Baaghi’ and ‘Street Dancer 3D’ tweeted: “Big RESPECT, for the sincerity towards your service. Big SALUTE, for your selfless toil in these challenging times. Big THANK YOU, for the sacrifices you make for our safety. You are, our Angels in disguise.”

Actress Anushka Sharma paid homage to health workers around the globe with a heart-warming Insta-message.

The message she posted

Abhishek Bachchan went with economy. His message read: “Respect and gratitude! Thank you heroes.”

Madhuri Dixit shared this photo on Twitter, captioning it: "Along with all the other frontline workers & the entire healthcare community, we're grateful to the nurses who're putting their lives at risk to nurse the world back to health. We should value their efforts & be thankful for everything they're doing for us."

Emilia Clarke, of 'Game of Thrones' fame, meanwhile appeared in an International Nurses’ Day video tribute released by The Royal College of Nursing, where she recited Michael Rosen’s poem ‘These are the Hands’. In it, she also says: “Clarke said: ‘I have joined nurses in celebrating this day and their work for several years. Today will be very different, to reflect the pressures and risks they are running so that we can all stay safe. The public’s gratitude is immense and, like everybody, I want to share a heartfelt thank you.’