Rahman supported the cause of the Millennium Development Goals

Dharam Shourie

New York, Feb 24 (PTI) A R Rahman, who created history by
becoming the first Indian to win two Oscars, has also been
involved in the United Nations campaign to eradicate poverty
world wide for several years.

He has supported the cause of the Millennium Development
Goals aimed at eliminating or sharply reducing social and
economic ills by 2015.

Rahman performed at a concert in Delhi, launched
anti-poverty song "Pray for Me Brother" and participated in
the Mission Ustad in support of the world body's anti-poverty
campaign.

On March 10, 2004 the Oscar winner was formally appointed
as the first Global Ambassador of the "Stop TB Partnership" at
a media event in London to promote awareness about a disease
that continues to kill two million people every year.

While in New York to attend the opening of his hit
musical "Bombay Dream" on Broadway, Rahman had personally
delivered a copy of the World Health Organization's "Colors"
report on Tuberculosis to former United Nations Secretary
General Kofi Annan.

His efforts have given the greater visibility to the MDGs
and helped in the global and national campaign against
poverty.

"Bollywood's music is so much a part of everyday life for
virtually every individual in South Asia and the Diaspora and
Rahman through his music and popular recognition has helped
reach our message to a massive audience. When Rahman adds his
dulcet voice and musical magic to the campaign, he strikes a
note of world-class innovation and determination", said
Director of Millennium Campaign Salil Shetty.

In South Asia, the campaign works to increase public
awareness of the MDGs through campaign and policy advocacy
work focused on accelerating the progress on achieving MDGs in
the key priority countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and
Nepal.

It works with a wide range of celebrities across the
world, but "I have rarely come across somebody who is so
passionate about the fight against poverty and that too with
such humility," he added.

A lot of this, no doubt, comes from his own lived
experience of hardship and a humble beginning, Shetty said,
adding that "We don't see Rahman purely as a celebrity
advocate for the Millennium Development Goals and the UN but
much more than that. He is really a fellow campaigner
against poverty and injustice."

"To me, Rahman and his music embodies many of the
universal values that the UN and the Millennium Development
Goals stand for equity, peace, justice and human rights
particularly for the poor and excluded in every society. In
that sense, we do endorse each other," he added. PTI