Aishwariya Rai. — AFP (File) Photo

 The UN has named Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan a goodwill ambassador focusing on HIV/Aids.

Rai Bachchan's appointment was announced Monday by the Joint UN Programme on HIV/Aids, known as UNAIDS.

The 38-year-old L'Oreal spokeswoman and former Miss World said that the appointment is a ''turning point'' in her life.

She says she'll be more than a poster girl for a UNAIDS initiative, launched last year. The initiative aims to prevent the spread of HIV to babies and keep infected mothers alive in 22 countries, including India.

She says as a new mother, she can relate to ''the joys and concerns of every mother and the hope that we have for our children.''

Rai Bachchan and her husband, Indian actor Abhishek Bachchan, had their first child last year.

Opinion

Editorial

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...