New Delhi: Sitar player Anoushka Shankar has become the first Indian celebrity to join hands with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in their endeavour to fight against hunger in India.
She joins the league of international celebrities such as Hollywood star Drew Barrymore and footballer Ronaldinho who are fighting for the same cause globally.
"It's a great honour to be a part of the World Food Programme that fights for such a noble cause. I will personally do whatever I can to raise awareness among people in the country about the issue of poverty and hunger and urge them to help the helpless," Anoushka said in a press meet at the Ravi Shankar Institute here Thursday.
Anoushka, who will be out of the country for a few months for her concerts abroad, said she would start working once she is back.
"As soon as I am back, I will be traveling across the country with WFP to raise awareness among the people about this issue. I will also perform in a couple of fund raiser programmes," she said.
Dominique Frankefort, WFP's India deputy country director, while thanking Anoushka for being a part of the programme said, "A quarter of the world's hungry are in India and the numbers are growing at an alarming rate.
Anoushka, who is a public spirited figure, will add visibility to our programme and help spread awareness."
Anoushka and the WFP will kick start the partnership with the inauguration of the annual Indian Classical Music and Dance Festival to be held at the Ravi Shankar Institute here February 23 to 27.
WFP has been working in six states in India and is the largest channel for external food aid here for more than 40 years now.
It assists the government of India in providing fortified food to the vulnerable sections of the society through national programmes.
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