Charitable works satisfy me more than winning awards, says Vivek Oberoi

Nov 6, 2016 IANS

Mumbai: With Food For Life Vrindavan (FFLV) kicks off a fundraiser with Tuk Tuk Challenge 2016, Bollywood actor and FFLV's international brand ambassador Vivek Oberoi said that working for social cause gives him more satisfaction than winning film awards.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Vivek said: "In my life, I am blessed to win awards for my acting. While after winning the award I do nothing but put them in a showcase, but when I go to Vrindavan and meet our kids, see them growing, it gives me immense joy and feels like their growth is my living award.

"Charitable work satisfies me more than winning awards. So I urge all the citizens of my country to join us to give our girls a better future."

Fifteen working professional from all walks of life, including filmmaker Ravinol Chambers, award winning hair dresser David Jameli, and Ravin Ganatra will fly in here from Britain for their arduous 1,800 km 12-day journey from Mumbai to Kanyakumari in an auto-rickshaw.

The non-profit organisation FFLV aims to empower little girls and women in rural parts of Uttar Pradesh's Vrindavan and bring change by stopping child marriage, child prostitution and helping all the unprivileged girls to get education and nutrition.

"There are days I have seen when parents take their girls of 10-12 years away from our school for marriage. It is difficult to believe that when we are talking about globalisation, such inhuman acts still happen with girl child in our country.

However, we realise that we have to create awareness and have to bring a change in people's way of thinking to stop such injustice. We have three schools where around 1,500 girls are studying and dreaming for a bright future," said Vivek.

On joining the Tuk Tuk Challenge, Chambers, who is planning to make a documentary on it, said: "Living here in India, I gained an experience that has changed my life. Now that I am joining the cause, I am happy to do something for the society here. I will shoot the road journey of the activity, interact with kids and people who are joining us. I am looking forward to the trip."

FFLV founder Rupa Ragunath Das also urged everyone to join the challenge and support their cause.