No, Aishwarya doesn't worth even Rs.4 Crore

Special appearances by Bollywood stars at many Sport Events like T20 and IPL matches is a common fare. As we are nearing to Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi, former Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mani Shankar Aiyar has raised his strong voice against the enormous waste of money on India’s biggest sporting event to which the poor won’t have access at all.

Mani, who is all in favour of the same money being spent on anti-poverty and welfare measures has now voiced disapproval about the organising committees obsession with Bollywood. Speaking from his past experience of the Commonwealth Games 2006 in Melbourne, Mani says that crores of rupees were offered to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who surely didnt need that money. I heard it was Rs. 4 crore for a four minute appearance then Saif Ali Khan was also there got Rs.75  lakh for his performance, says the former minister.

All this Bollywood glam is proof of the organising committees obsession with Bollywood, but not the common people. We have a 5,000 year old civilisation, why limit its presentation to just Bollywood. Strong criticism from many sections about spending crores of rupees in the name of glamor is a shameful aspect in India. When it is an event of pride for your nation, why do these stars take money? Are they really running short of these money? Yes, why can’t we use this money for eradication of poverty in the country.