August 10, 2010 4:26:24 pm
Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra,who was on Tuesday appointed UNICEF ambassador,says she will work to uphold the cause for educating girls in the country.
“I have always been conscious of my social responsibility. I love what I do and I don’t take up anything until I strongly feel about it. Working for children means a lot to me because when I visited girls in slums it educated me a lot,” Priyanka told reporters after her appointment.
“These girls are raising children when they are themselves kids. They are uneducated,malnourished and have no health awareness. To be able to give her basic education is what I will be working for as UNICEF ambassador,” the actor said.
The actor,who recently launched her own website and is quite active on Twitter and Facebook,admits that she will use these portals as tools to create awareness among people. “Twitter and my website are going to be prominent parts of spreading the message. We are a youth driven country and we need a push. I have a huge number of people following me and I have a lot to say. They might not believe in me but at least they will listen to me,” Priyanka said.
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Priyanka believes that one has tostart from somewhere to represent the state of children’s rights in the country. She said: “It’s difficult with such a population. But we need to be sensitised. It starts at home with your maid and her children,” she said.
The 28-year-old joins industry veterans like Sharmila Tagore and Amitabh Bachchan,who also represent the UNICEF.
“Priyanka Chopra is for UNICEF a symbol of youth. She will be working mainly on public service announcements for children. She will go on field visits against child marriage and work on maternal health for adolescents,” said Karen Hulshof,UNICEF representative.
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