Aishwarya Rai Bachchan named goodwill ambassador for UNAIDS

New York - Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been appointed as United Nations goodwill ambassador for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Her role is to raise awareness on issues related to preventing HIV infections in children.

The Indian Express reported Aishwarya Rai will work with the UNAIDS program to advocate the "Global plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children and keeping their mothers alive." The plan she will be involved with focuses on 22 countries, including India, where HIV infections are prevalent amongst children. Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai said that lending her support as goodwill ambassador for UNAIDS was more than just "clichéd Miss World talk." The Hindu reported she intends to be more than a "poster girl" for the cause, but will be able to use her celebrity to take the message to a wide audience. The Bollywood star, who became a mother to Aaradhya in November 2011, said “This is a turning point in my life. I wanted to be associated with the UN at a time when I could actually contribute to the work and the causes.” NDTV reported Aaradhya said she has not missed starring in movies as motherhood keeps her busy. She described motherhood as "wonderful, beautiful, glorious. I can't find the perfect adjective for it." Speaking of her new role as a UN ambassador she said: "There is so much work to be done. Along with UNAIDS I am hoping that we can make the goal of having an entire generation born free of HIV, possible by 2015. It will be historic. It is not the only goal, there is work that needs to be done for a long time to come."