Bachchan raises 26,000 pounds for train blasts' victims

H S Rao

LONDON: Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was the cynosure of all eyes in the British House of Commons as he helped raise 26,000 pounds for the victims of July 11 Mumbai blasts.

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 on 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.

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

He also revealed that he would resume acting from Sunday after recovering from his ill-health. "There are eight or nine productions" in which he is engaged.  Stating that he would be returning here for shooting next month, Bachchan said the working facilities and the quality of technical work were good in the UK.