Preity Zinta espouses cause of widows, cites Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) Citing the example of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Bollywood actress Preity Zinta Wednesday pledged to work for the welfare of widows and said they could achieve a lot if given an opportunity.

Preity, 34, became the brand ambassador of Loomba Trust that supports widows and their children around the world.

'Sonia Gandhi is a perfect example. If a woman is not stolen off her opportunities, even if she is a widow, she can do great things and achieve a lot. This is more than enough reason to say that a woman can stand shoulder to shoulder with any man anywhere in the world,' Preity said at a press conference here.

'I have always held women's causes in India very close to my heart. I have always felt that women get a raw deal. This cause was a little more close to my heart because I lost my father when I was very young,' said Preity, who lost her father at the age of 13.

'I was lucky to come from a family that was financially stable but I did grow up realising that it was definitely more difficult for a woman. I can identify with this problem very closely,' the actress told reporters.

Preity also revealed that a documentary by filmmaker Deepa Mehta's brother influenced her and she realised it was important to work for the welfare of widows.

'Deepa Mehta's brother made a documentary called 'The Forgotten Woman'. It's a documentary on widows and what really happens to them. That was the first time I looked at this besides something I had grown up with and that stayed with me,' she said.

'So when I was asked to be a part of this Trust I thought that god has given me more than I can ever imagine and if I can give back, it will make a difference and in whatever way we can to raise awareness we will,' she added.