When Amitabh Bachan was recently in the city he had expressed his interest in being the ambassador to the state. He was responding to a question during an interview on a malayalam TV channel. Bachan said “I like this place, the people, its culture and the ambience here. If an offer comes from the government, I would be glad to promote this state”. Kerala tourism minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan responded to this statement by sending Bachan a a letter asking him to take the job and asked him how to proceed in this regard.

According to the tourism minister, Bachan would be able to promote Kerala in countries like UK and USA. For those who dont know. Amitabh is also the Gujarat’s ambassador. How he landed the job was somewhat similar. Bachan kept raving about Gujurat and a media person asked him if he would be the ambassador for the state and he responded positively. Guurat CM grabbed the opportunity.

The Big B of Indian cinema Amitabh Bachchan and Oscar winner Resul Pookutty came together in Kochi on Sunday for fulfilling a dream of the film sound designer – to help people in distress.Mr. Bachchan formally launched the Jeevarogya medical welfare campaign, set up under the aegis of the Resul Pookutty Foundation and Lakshmi Hospital, Ernakulam.

The presence of the tallest figure in the tinsel world was fulfilling for the soundman.But the magnanimity of Mr. Bachchan did not limit itself to his presence. While declaring that he would be there with Mr. Pookutty in future for such a noble venture, Mr. Bachchan also made a contribution of Rs. 11 lakh. Whoa..!!

It was the letters Mr. Pookutty received from different parts of the State seeking assistance for health care and related issues that prompted him to set up the foundation.

Giving back to society : Remembering his student days at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, Mr. Pookutty said education at the institute would be an unaffordable affair for a student hailing from the middle class. He viewed the venture as an opportunity “to give back to society what he got in life.” Mr. Bachchan also had a word of appreciation for Mr. Pookutty for mobilising resources for such ventures.

Under the Jeevarogya programme, the two agencies will provide free medical treatment for 3,000 persons, heart surgery for 30 and free surgeries for another 300.