Kajol appointed goodwill ambassador of U.K. trust

H S Rao
London, Oct 3 (PTI) Bollywood actress Kajol has been appointed goodwill ambassador and patron of the U.K. based Loomba Trust, a charity devoted to educating widow's children, particularly in India.

Kajol was presented a plaque by Cherie Blair, President
of Loomba Trust and wife of former British prime minister Tony
Blair at Whitehall during a ceremony to celebrate U.N.
International Day of Non-violence commencing on Mahatma
Gandhi's birthday and Indian festival Diwali last evening.

Describing it as a "great honour", Kajol, who has starred
in hit films like "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" and "Kuch Kuch
Hota Hai" said, "I will do my very best to be worthy of this
appointment."

Raj Loomba, who founded the trust in the memory of his
late mother, said, "I hope Kajol will bring wealth of support
and much needed wealth to our charity."

The function was attended by India's High Commissioner to
the U.K. Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, Mayor of London Boris
Johnson, former Mayor Ken Livingstone, Lord Navnit Dholakia-
Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords
among others.

Cherie Blair said the trust would extend its activities
to Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Luanda. It has already
helped educate 3,500 children of widows in India, she added.

Talking about her recent trip to India, she said, "Not
only did I have an opportunity to visit rural India but I also
had the chance to spend time with many widows and children
supported by the trust."

Indian High Commissioner Mukherjee praised the efforts of
trust for their charity work.

He also extended Diwali greetings to the people of
Britain and said that the festival of Diwali had achieved
international flavour as it marks the triumph of good over
evil.

"Combined with it is the celebration of Gandhi Jayanti,
the birthday of the Mahatma, who spearheaded non-violent
Satyagraha which represented courage and strength," he added.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said, "Today, a thriving
and diverse London depends on its Indian community. The
personal and business links to the great and culturally rich
nation of India add to our own society every day.

"I look forward to strengthening my own ties to India and
continuing my support of the Trust," he added.

Remembering the message of peace that Gandhi advocated,
Loomba said, "Many women throughout the world have lost their
husbands through violence. It seems fitting that on this day
we commemorate the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, an apostle of
Non-Violence." PTI HSR