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Urmila does her bit for
AIDS awareness
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service
Mumbai, Sep 2 (IANS) Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar is doing
her bit to promote AIDS awareness.
She travelled to Pune and then to Delhi last week with a BBC
crew to interact with the public on HIV-related matters through
a debate.
"I'm aware that other stars have been part of BBC's 'Haath Se
Haath Milaa' campaign for AIDS. But I wanted to do something
different," Urmila told IANS.
.
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"Because of the Ganesh festival I asked the BBC
to tie up with one of the celebration's organisers to conduct an
open air free-for-all AIDS debate. A local lawyer and AIDS
activist Asim Sarode was there with me. And because I am a
Maharashtrian and a film star I was able to connect with the
Pune audience very well."
BBC recorded the event for telecast.
"I think an issue like AIDS needs to be addressed hands-on. I
suggested that they film the entire process of my visiting Pune
and the ensuing interaction. What's the point of roping in a
known face if that face doesn't promote the cause to the hilt?"
Urmila feels more people should join the AIDS awareness
campaigns.
"I think it's time more and more of us created awareness about
issues that go beyond cinema. Shabana-ji has been doing it for
years.
"But most of us are too busy with our day-to-day work to bother
with larger issues. That has to change. If you're a celebrity
you better use the power to make a difference."
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