Sush to visit red light area too

By Subhash K Jha

In the middle of next month Sushmita Sen has a very special rendezvous with the sex workers of Mumbai. Actress Ashley Judd is coming to town. The two well known actors will join hands to create AIDS awareness in Mumbai's most thickly populated red-light area.

Says Sushmita, "Look at the work that Ashley has done for AIDS and other causes. It makes me feel so small. Acting is all very fine. But real life is far more important. A lot of us celebrities lose touch with our basic purpose, namely to use our names to further causes and issues that make a difference to underprivileged lives. Unfortunately a lot of times our names and funds get exploited in the wrong hands."

Such experiences aren't going to deter Sushmita from reaching out whenever she can. In fact yesterday Sunday 18 February she headed for St Catherine's Home in Andheri to spend the day with special HIV-infected children.

"Ideally I wouldn't have wanted cameras to follow me there. But then I realize the whole purpose of such interactions is to create an awareness about people who aren't as happily placed in life as me or my daughter Renee, hence the absolutely invaluable role of the media."

Renee, in fact accompanied her mom to the Orphanage. "Between the two of us I don't know who's more excited. Both mother and daughter had been waiting for this Sunday. I didn't go there to make the kids feel better. The whole idea is to make myself feel better. I really need this brush with reality to keep me grounded and to reassure me about the quality of my life. "

The day with the children at St Catherine's was meticulously chalked out for Sush and Renee. "There was a movie, gifts including dolls and yes, lots and lots of chocolates. Believe me, there's nothing kids enjoy more than chocolates."