Scarlett Johansson visits India; commits to end poverty

lotus blossom

much more positive news about miss scarlet than the ad nauseum media tripe about her being the most beautiful woman in the world'. now this sort of thing, as reported in this, makes her a beautiful person indeed.

BOSTON — Actor Scarlett Johansson has joined international agency Oxfam in the fight against poverty following a life-changing trip to India and Sri Lanka. During her ten-day visit, Scarlett learned how investing in education and basic health-care are vital to saving lives and lifting millions of poor children and families out of poverty. She also met Indian women who’ve survived domestic violence and Tsunami survivors in Sri Lanka.

http://www.oxfamamerica.org/newsandp...ng-end-poverty

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Indojingai

Thanks, travelling to the third world during Oscars is perhaps a new trend.

World peace and end of world hunger ... weren't these Miss World title winners?

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capt_mahajan

Nah. for Miss World you have to mention Mother Theresa too

Sama

Dr. Muhammad Yunus teams with Seva Foundation

I think it's great when celebs, whether it's Scarlett Johansson or Bono, use their celebrity status to bring social welfare issues into the public eye. Bono teamed up with Oprah in Chicago to push his latest cause and it was a huge media circus that lasted for the obligatory 15 minutes.

But these organizations such as Oxfam or my fave cause, the Seva Foundation, need the attention and the money ALL THE TIME, not just when a celeb latches onto them. I posted the above link when Seva teamed up with the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Muhammad Yunus....but of course, he's not as "sexy" as Scarlett or Bono!

Seva has asked for my help to get the word out to the yoga community about their work, but I'm a nobody so you won't be reading about me!

Check out the Seva Foundation -- "compassion in action"

We have people here on IM asking all the time about volunteering opportunities in India...check out Seva and their eyeglasses program.

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icetea

captain, beautiful quote in your signature

capt_mahajan

Thanks. Wish I could take credit for it.

ananda2193

Yeah, I read that story about a week ago, but didn't post it because Hollywood stars get to much attention for nothing as it is. But I agree with the above post that if it shines the light on a good cause, then it's purposeful.

Seva Foundation does do great things around the world Yogagal.

www.seva.org

Sama

Seva in India

"Aravind Eye Hospitals -
Making Cataract Surgery Affordable to All

Aravind training programs share expertise with staff from over 140 eye hospitals.

An estimated 21 million people in India have cataracts, and nine million are cataract blind. Although cataract is reversible, millions remain blind due to a lack of accessible eye care. Seva works to restore sight in conjunction with the Aravind Eye Hospital based in Madurai, Tamil Nadu which was started in 1976 by a founding Seva Foundation Board member, Dr. G. Venkataswamy. Aravind is now a network of hospitals with over 1750 beds, serving a population of more than 50 million. Last year, Aravind performed over 190,000 surgeries and nearly 1.3 million outpatient services.

Aravind provides high quality, affordable, community-oriented eye care within a sustainable financial structure. Fees from the 1/3 of patients who can afford to pay subsidize services for the other 2/3 of patients who are served free of charge. Aravind’s creative "cross-funding" is revolutionary in this field. It has inspired other eye services, including the Lumbini Eye Care Program in Nepal...."

"Eye Care for Rural Women.
In developing countries, women are much more likely to suffer from avoidable blindness than men for several reasons: limited access to financial resources and health information, fewer travel options, and less social support in seeking care.
...Seva is introducing new ways to break down the barriers to women's access and use of sight-restoring services."

Sama

and thanks for posting that link, ananda!

ddevadatta

Publicity or not glad that people serve others and there are so many avenues to do so. I must say that ordinary citizens make a huge impact as well, without the attention that celebs get. So let's not forget the ordinary citizens...

I was reminded by this on my trip to India less than a month ago. I serve on the Board of Emmanuel Hospital Assocition that has 20 hospitals and 27 health clinics that focuses on health care amongst the poor in N. India. I was amazed to see doctors, nurses, other health care professionals and community development staff do some incredible work.

The website is: www.eha-health.org
Check this out and let me know what you think...

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Sama

that's what the Seva links are all about....ordinary people volunteering in India and elsewhere for their vision clinics....

Nick-H

Right. The only justification for this being news is that when a celeb does it it gives publicity to the cause.

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Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

edwardseco

Aside from crocodile tears is it more than the old socialist technique of exploiting the vulnerability of the poor.?

Nick-H

Ahhh.... the S-word has been dragged in, though why I can't imagined. That means that the thread will now degenerate into a shouting match. Shall we close it now?

Really, I do think it varies with the individual: it certainly can be exploitation of the poor as a good photo-opportunity background, or it can be sincere and genuine.

Except where some issue really needs to be brought to light, my guess is that the sincerity is in inverse proportion to the publicity.

I have no idea who this woman is, so have no opinion.

Lotus-Flower

MOST beautifull??
poor Angelina she must be "green of envy"!