Amitabh Bachchan named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

Company press release, October 31, 2003

New Delhi

UNICEF announced today that Amitabh Bachchan has agreed to become UNICEF's newest Goodwill Ambassador, promoting the rights of children in India and around the world.

"I am extremely pleased to accept this responsibility," said Mr. Bachchan. "I hope that by adding my voice to the cause of children, it will make a difference in the lives of boys and girls here at home and across the region."

UNICEF approached Mr. Bachchan to become UNICEF's Goodwill Ambassador because of his enormous popularity, credibility and appeal as a genuine humanitarian. As UNICEF Ambassador, Mr. Bachchan will periodically speak ut on issues critical to the lives of children, such as HIV/AIDs, polio eradication and the need for all girls to have an opportunity to go to school.

"Mr. Bachchan's tremendous appeal to young people makes him an ideal Goodwill Ambassador. When he speaks, people from all walks of life, from the youngest to the oldest, listen carefully," said Maria Calivis, UNICEF Representative in India. "Our hope is to leverage Mr. Bachchan's powerful connection with the people of India to make a difference in children's lives, as he has already done for polio."

Mr. Bachchan contributed significantly to the Government of India's Pulse Polio Immunization programme in 2003 by appearing in a series of award-winning television and radio commercials. These spots played an instrumental role in convincing parents to immunize their children. A research survey of 10,000 respondents conducted in Uttar Pradesh in February 2003 indicated that 67% of people who brought their children to the polio booth were exposed to the Bachchan spots. 92% cited the Bachchan spots as having an influence on their decision get their child immunized. Only 164 polio cases have been reported in India this year, the lowest number ever recorded. This is a significant turnaround from the polio outbreak in 2002 in which 1600 children contracted polio. "India is closer than ever to eradicating polio," Mr. Bachchan said. "Let' s finish the job and rid our country of this terrible disease forever."

UNICEF is celebrating a 50-year history of Goodwill Ambassadors this December. Beginning in 1953 with Danny Kane, UNICEF has collaborated with world-renowned personalities from sports, music and the performing and film arts - including Audrey Hepburn, Roger Moore, Vanessa Redgrave, Susan Sarandon and Harry Belafonte. The Ambassadors play a unique role in communicating the vision and values that guide UNICEF's work for children through their world-wide appeal. In India, along with Mr. Bachchan, UNICEF is also grateful for the support of a growing number of celebrities to support the cause of polio eradication.

For details contact:

Savita Varde-Naqvi

Unicef,

+91 (11) 24690401 Extn: 212

Mobile - 9810203668

snaqvi@unicef.org