Bachchan family raises Rs.2.5 million for charity

The Bachchan clan raised a whopping Rs.25 lakh (Rs.2.5 million) for a charity through sale of special paintings, based on interpretations of Amitabh Bachchan, and a book, which was unvieled to mark the megastar's 70th birthday.

On Amitabh's 70th birthday celebrations in October 2012, a special art exhibition was held with 70 paintings from leading artists from all over India. A book titled "B70", commemorating the special paintings, was also launched.

The proceeds from the sale was Saturday given to charity organisation Plan India for their Girl Child Campaign, it was announced here in the presence of Amitabh, Jaya, Abhishek and Aishwarya.

"Whatever we have got after selling all the books, has been given to Plan India. In future, no matter how many books are sold, after deducting the tax, the entire money will be given to Plan India," Jaya told reporters at Bachchans' office Janak.

Granddaughter Aaradhya was missing from the event.

"I was just telling Aishwarya it didn't occur to me before, we would have got Aaradhya and she would have given the cheque," said Jaya.

Amitabh says he and his wife Jaya have never believed in discrimination.

"I have always believed there is no difference between a male and female child. I have said it on many forums, and I say it here again. I have a son and a daughter and whatever little we have, will be equally divided," he said.

"That is my personal belief and that is the belief of Jaya too. I feel we never had any discrimination between a girl child or a boy. They have equal place in our lives," added Amitabh.

They have a daughter named Shweta Nanda, and their son Abhishek is a popular actor.

Amitabh's birthday Oct 11 has been declared as International Day of the Girl Child by the United Nations. However, Abhishek says children should be loved and taken care of always - irrespective of any day.

"Our family feels that there should not be just one day we should celebrate as Girl Child Day. It is a good thing that Oct 11 will be for the girl child, but we feel they should be loved and taken care of everyday," said Abhishek.

Aishwarya, who has scaled immense success in her field, said: "It is the birthright of every child to be enabled and empowered in life... we collectively feel attention needs to be given to every child irrespective of what gender it belongs to."