Aaradhya effect? Aishwarya Rai supports baby girls

Indian Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan (L), accompanied by wife Jaya (2nd L) and son Abhishek (R) with wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (2nd R) pose following a press conference in Mumbai on February 9, 2013. (AFP)

Published Monday, February 11, 2013

By Staff

A family that eats together stays together but in case of the Bachchans, Bollywood's first family, a family that does social work together sticks together.

Click to see Aishwarya Rai spends quality time with the Bachchans

The Bachchan family including Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, pledged to donate the proceeds of a book to the Plan India charity organisation, which supports the protection and rights of newborn girls in the country.

Married women in India face huge pressure to produce male heirs, who are seen as breadwinners while girls are often viewed as a burden to the family as they require hefty dowries to be married off.

Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan took out time for charity on Saturday and raised money for a Girl Child Campaign.

The Bachchan clan raised a whopping Rs.25 lakh (Rs.2.5 million) for a charity through sale of special paintings, based on interpretations of Amitabh Bachchan, and a book, which was unveiled to mark the megastar's 70th birthday.

On Amitabh's 70th birthday celebrations in October 2012, a special art exhibition was held with 70 paintings from leading artists from all over India. A book titled "B70", commemorating the special paintings, was also launched.

The proceeds from the sale was given to charity organisation Plan India for their Girl Child Campaign.

"Whatever we have got after selling all the books, has been given to Plan India. In future, no matter how many books are sold, after deducting the tax, the entire money will be given to Plan India," Jaya told reporters at Bachchans' office Janak.

Granddaughter Aaradhya was missing from the event.

"I was just telling Aishwarya it didn't occur to me before, we would have got Aaradhya and she would have given the cheque," said Jaya.

Amitabh Bachchan says he and his wife Jaya Bachchan have never believed in discrimination.

"I have always believed there is no difference between a male and female child. I have said it on many forums, and I say it here again. I have a son and a daughter and whatever little we have, will be equally divided," he said.

"That is my personal belief and that is the belief of Jaya too. I feel we never had any discrimination between a girl child or a boy. They have equal place in our lives," added Amitabh.