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As
the Indian press continues to hammer at Aishwarya Rai,
one more international honour has come her way - the
British government's “The Next Step World Diversity
Champion award.”
The
award, to be given by the British foreign office on
November 24 this year, was instituted to honour
individuals who have encouraged pride in being a member
of the ethnic minority community as well as a stronger
sense of personal fulfillment.
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The award, in collaboration with the Next Step’s
Foundation, is considered a prestigious step ahead for
Ash in the international arena.
She is expected to address issues related to ethnicity
at the conference in November, where the other speakers
are expected to be former US secretary of state Colin
Powell and actor Jackie Chan.
Says the actress: "I think it's a great honour.
Today beauty has come to be defined by many other far
more profound qualities than looks and posture. I hope
people would stop holding my looks against me and
labelling me giggly and frivolous.
"Look at Angelina Jolie. I think she's so
gorgeous... and so real. She's a student of yoga and she
works for the United Nations. She's a complete
personality, and illustrates what feminine beauty means
in the new millennium."
Murli Manohar, who's the producer of Ash's much talked
about "Provoked" and also a prominent
spokesperson of the Indian community in London, says the
award is vital to her image as a fashion icon.
"She's no longer considered just a beauty queen.
And I think her role of the real-life battered wife in
'Provoked' has something to do with her growing image as
a spokesperson for Indian women. The fact that she'll be
honoured at the 'Next Step For The Next Europe
Conference' where the speakers will be former US
secretary of state Colin Powell and Jackie Chan speaks
volumes of Ash's reach as an Asian icon.
"Jackie Chan was chosen for the award some time ago
for the same reason as Ash: they both represent the
glamorous face of Asian entertainment while championing
the cause of their country and gender."
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