Shabana Azmi has always been associated with social causes. The actress, who earlier featured in a popular campaign to create awareness about HIV- AIDS few years ago, has now been appointed by South Asian trade bloc SAARC as its Goodwill Ambassador for the HIV and AIDS programme for its member countries. Shabana Azmi along with Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya were finally selected by the SAARC member nations (namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and India) from a large number of nominations received to be the Goodwill Ambassador for this noble cause. Apparently, the actress' name was recommended by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO). Shabana's role as a Goodwill Ambassador would involve facilitating the implementation of SAARC regional strategy on HIV and AIDS. She would also take up the issue of creating awareness about the deadly disease. The official conferment of the title and the launch of the program for SAARC goodwill ambassadors is likely to take place during the 15th SAARC Summit to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 2-3 August. ... read more »