World Aids Day - Bollywood Supports!

This World AIDs day, BollyCurry brings to you the celebrities who spread the awareness on HIV/AIDS along with us commoners.

This 1st of December not only brings the last month of every year but also, like every year, brings a day when people gather to educate and spread information on the fairy disastrous infection that is AIDS. The World AIDS Day is the one date which is observed by those who are suffering from this illness or have a loved one who is and need support and undoubtedly our Bollywood stars have left no stone unturned in aiding this cause. Some of us might wonder as to why HIV/AIDS is given such priority and publicity, and the simple reason is that it is one of the most deadly infectious diseases currently present, taking the lives of almost 2 million people worldwide in 2010 with an average 34 million infected! While some of us may not be doing much of anything to promote this cause, luckily our B-Town celebrities are sparing out time from their hectic schedules and bringing this issue into the limelight.

And now, BollyCurry presents few of those involved in AIDS day campaigns and activities.
Preity Zinta

Well it is not a surprise that the pretty lass Preity Zinta is part of the HIV/AIDS campaign. She has been the UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for India from the year 2010 and has been promoting awareness on HIV prevention, cure, treatment and support, focusing primarily on women, children and the oppressed ever since. Solely for this purpose, she has even involved her IPL team Kings XI Punjab, which was seen sporting red ribbons during their matches to show its support for this cause. Along with that, she makes it a point to visit various rural villages of Punjab and other states to spread the awareness that HIV is preventable and in fact treatable. Due to her disappointment over HIV transmission from mother to children, her work is centered on curing such cases and helping in avoiding infection among infants. Preity has surely performed marvelously and we expect her to continue her noble activities and help even more people that she already has. 

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

The beauty queen Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who has always been in the spotlight, uses it for noble causes and has been involved in various humanitarian issues since many years. That will be one convincing reason as to why she has recently been chosen as the new International Goodwill Ambassador by the UNAIDS (United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) this year. She will be seen in this new avatar where she will help raise an awareness for stopping new HIV infections mostly in women and children. Being a mother herself, she clearly values the joy and concerns of every mother towards her children. She, like any other mother, wants her child to be healthy and infection free. This could possibly be the objective behind Aishwarya's extra attention on the health issues faced by women and children. She believes it to be an honor and accepts the position proposed to her and doesn't believe in simply being the poster girl for the organization. Instead, she implements what she committed for. Aishwarya surely seems to be confident about what she's doing and BollyCurry wishes her all the luck for her new role so numerous mothers and their children can get educated and stay healthy in the future.

Shabana Azmi

The social activist and veteran actress Shabana Azmi herself contributes to AIDS campaigns! From the year 2008, Azmi has been handling the post of SAARC Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS Programme and she has played a big role in many campaigns that have occurred in various regions of the SAARC countries. Her main role ranges from facilitating execution of different SAARC regional strategies on HIV/AIDS to its work plan in all the countries. She was also assigned to create better awareness on the prejudice against HIV patients through mass media and pubic appearance in the region. Shabana ji has indeed played a vital role in raising funds for the treatment of these patients and helped them in recovering and leading a better life. She still continues her social activities and for that, we wish her success in all campaigns she organizes in the coming times.


Shilpa Shetty Kundra

A long time has passed by since her involvement, but the gorgeous Shilpa Shetty Kundra was certainly an integral part of the HIV/AIDS campaigns in 2007. It was certainly known through media that Shilpa donated all of her winning money of the 'Big Brother 2007' title to the Indian AIDS campaigns. There is also a foundation named after her which is run for the welfare of the HIV/AIDS patients. Moreover, she was seen spreading awareness on AIDS with British Actor Ralph Fineness in India after her victory in the show that helped her gain everyone's attention again. Shilpa even ended up doing the role of an AIDS patient in the Bollywood movie Phir Milenge and her performance was widely appreciated, winning her several best actress nominations. Though she has not been seen in any campaigns recently, we wish she has a joyful motherhood phase and returns to fame soon with more of her altruistic activities.
Hrithik and Suzanne Roshan

The husband-wife duo of Hrithik and Suzanne Roshan have certainty been spotted attending various events related to social issues. One such event was the 26th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial where this couple checked in to lend their support for the AIDS awareness campaign. It was sometime in 2009 and though it has been a long time since then, their willingness is certainly appreciated and them showing their solidarity to the people who are living in isolation because of the disease is commendable. Hrithik thanked Suzanne for supporting him on this cause while Suzanne stated that she wanted to see a positive change occurring in the society regarding the way people treated HIV patients. The event also witnessed the presence of singer-actor-director Farhan Akthar, Nandita Das, AV Birla, the group chairman of Kumar Mangalam Birla, and the director-general of the National AIDS Control Organisation, Dr. Sujata Rao.

Nafisa Ali

Former Miss India and Bollywood actress turned social activist Nafisa Ali is yet another celebrity who works towards this cause. After a gap of 18 years, she is back into action by working for several NGOs and some of her renowned work is beyond doubt in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention, awareness and care. She even started a Care Home called Ashraya for infected patients. She believes that by starting this care home she could at least help some people who are neglected by society at a time when they need the most support. She is best known for her beliefs of religious harmony and peace. We look forward to seeing more of Nafisa ji's works and their success stories in the future.


Author: Siona M.
Editors: Khushi P. & Gunia M.
Graphics: Pooja A.