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Amitabh Bachchan – cynosure of all eyes in British House of Commons
22nd July 2006 23.59 IST
By Agencies

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was the cynosure of all eyes in the British House of Commons in London.

The occasion was a dinner to celebrate the honorary degree of Doctorate of Arts conferred on the 64-year-old actor by De Monfort University in Leicester on Wednesday. It was hosted by leading NRI and Labour MP Keith Vaz in the House of Commons Friday night.

Responding to the innumerable accolades showered on him, a visibly moved Bachchan said, “It is the most memorable day of my life. I am extremely happy for all of your presence for a noble cause.

"While there can't be a value for human life, whatever little we can do to express sympathy to the bereaved families of the Mumbai bomb blasts will go a long way," he said.

The megastar helped raise 26,000 pounds for the victims of the deadly wave of terror attacks that rocked Mumbai suburban trains claiming over 200 lives on July 11.

Bachchan said by honouring him with a Doctorate, the UK University has honoured the entire Indian film industry.

Bachchan also revealed that he would resume acting from tomorrow after recovering from his ill-health. "There are eight or nine productions" in which he is engaged.

Bachchan added the working facilities and the quality of technical work were good in the UK.

At the charity auction that followed the dinner, an oil painting of the megastar, signed by him, went for 2,500 pounds while an Air India trip to Mumbai for tea with Bachchan and wife Jaya Bachchan followed by watching the film shooting of the star fetched 4,500 pounds.

Dinner with Jack Straw, Leader of the House of Commons, for four at leading Red Fort Restaurant in London went for 3,000 pounds while a role in the forthcoming film 'Dallas', directed by Gurinder Chadha , earned 3,500 pounds.

An oil painting signed by Prime Minister Tony Blair, Chancellor Gordon Brown and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher went for 6,000 pounds while Sir Anwar Pervez, Pakistani-origin businessman who founded the Bestway Cash and Carry donated 5,000 pounds.

Amar Singh, Rajya Sabha member and Samajwadi Party leader who was present said he would donate a matching fund equivalent to 26,000 pounds in Indian Rupees and the entire money would be directly presented to the victims by Jaya and Abhishek Bachchan , the couples' actor-son.

Congratulating Bachchan on receiving the degree, British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said, "Amitabh Bachchan's remarkable career has helped bring Asian cinema to multiplexes worldwide."

Blair said, "Britain has increasingly close ties with the Indian film industry. We are becoming like a home from home for Bollywood film producers, and we are providing opportunities for talented actors, singers or even key grips to start a career in film."

UK's Attorney General Lord Peter Goldsmith, who was the chief guest, presented a memento to Bachchan, describing him as a "great star" who has brought huge amount of joy to so many people.

He also handed over to Bachchan and Amar Singh a special portrait each signed by Blair.

Welcoming the star, Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport said, "I was fortunate to meet Amitabh two years ago in India, he was being given a Living Legend in Indian Entertainment Industry Award, one of a great many occasions on which he has been honoured."

She said Bachchan is one of the best actors in the world and he was rightly chosen as the Millennium's best actor in a BBC poll in 1999.

Keith Vaz said Britain's Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett was among those who sought Amitabh Bachchan's autographs.

Vaz said Bachchan has not only dominated the Indian film industry for a generation, but is an inspiration to his fans worldwide.

"Amitabh is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, speaking on issues including HIV/AIDS, polio eradication and the need for all girls to have an opportunity to go to school. A testament to his impact is that nearly 70 per cent of parents having their children vaccinated against polio had seen Amitabh 's adverts on the subject," he said.

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