Re: Goodwill Ambassador Amitabh to campaign on HIV/AIDS

[Guest guest]

UNICEF signs on India superstar Amitabh Bachchan to help children

By Sabine Dolan and Maya Dollarhide

NEW YORK, 15 April 2005 “Last night UNICEF welcomed acclaimed Indian film star

Amitabh Bachchan to its ranks of international Goodwill Ambassadors in a formal

signing event with Executive Director Carol Bellamy.

Following Indian tradition for honouring guests, Mr. Bachchan and his wife,

Jaya, were presented with necklaces of flowers. He met Ms. Bellamy and signed a

letter of commitment for a two-year assignment with the agency.

I feel greatly honoured that UNICEF has chosen me to be a Goodwill Ambassador,

and to be able to propagate the issues that UNICEF is associated with, in India

and elsewhere, said Mr. Bachchan.

The newly-minted ambassador began his work with UNICEF in 2002 during a polio

outbreak in Northern India. Through a series of award-winning television and

radio commercials, he asked parents to have their children vaccinated against

the crippling disease.

Mr. Bachchan will continue the fight for polio eradication as a UNICEF Goodwill

Ambassador, in addition to campaigning for HIV/AIDS education. He will highlight

these issues through field visits, public appearances and speaking out on behalf

of the worldâ's children.

" Amitabh has the star power to illuminate the lives of the millions of children

who are living in dire circumstances, " said Ms. Bellamy. " We look forward to a

long collaboration with him, and we feel honoured to have him as part of the

UNICEF family. "

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/india_26029.html