Amitabh Bachchan on being questioned about contribution towards the country

Amitabh Bachchan often records his thoughts on his blog and shares many things ranging from experiences, throwback memories to happy and sad stories. Bachchan recently wrote a lengthy blog explaining how he felt saddened by the types of questions he gets asked.

The reason for writing this blog was a question a journalist had asked him during the ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ press conference that took place in Mumbai recently. Bachchan was reportedly asked by a journalist whether he had contributed to the Kerala rescue funds or not.

Bachchan talks about several tragedies that he gets affected by such as farmers’ suicide and soldiers sacrificing their lives to protect the nation. He shares that he does his best to help in the ways he can.

“I am embarrassed to talk thus, but in the times we live in, where information and news travels faster than your thinking of it, I have to perforce speak of some of the activities undertaken by me in the last few days…perforce because the possibility of it being misrepresented or deliberately abused through misconception and misunderstanding stands a fair degree of perception and hence believable chance…or vice versa!

I have been troubled by the sacrifices that our fighting ‘jawans’ on the border have been making…giving up their lives to protect their country, to protect us and to deny intrusion from outside forces.

I have also been troubled by the devastation that causes our farmers to sacrifice their lives because they are unable to pay back their loans for lack of finance, or lack of procurement due to the drought conditions in some of our most isolated dry regions in the country…There is a suicide in one to save their honour…there is a sacrifice in another to save the honour of their nation.

Suicides cause devastating conditions for the loved ones, they leave behind, that depend on them…sacrifices cause devastation to the families of them that become martyrs in protecting the families of us all.

The pain and anguish is beyond compare for both conditions…and nothing can ever replace the circumstances that prevail…but an effort to perhaps provide a gentle balm is what provoked me.

I have through the Government agencies identified 44 families who have lost their loved ones – martyrs who gave up their lives for the country and distributed cash to them as a small gesture of respite…the amount is 1+ crore Rupees, in a systematic division as per the rules – 60% to the Wife and 20% each to the parents…112 demand drafts have been prepared and sent out to the families…printed lists with their names is with me.

For the farmers, 295 famers loans have been identified in the Bank I bank with, the NOC’s have been prepared for almost 295 farmers whose loans shall be payed off by me…the amount being approximately 2.03 crore Rupees.

The concerned have been called to my office and shall be given their dues…it shall be impossible to call all, but a convenient few shall be personally invited.

I do feel that every small effort made by us all, that enjoy the privilege of excess, shall go a long way in easing the troubled conditions of many…and many more such offers should come forward.

I read somewhere that the Quran in gist states that ‘give your excess to them that have less‘…Our efforts made in such direction shall certainly ease the pain of many that suffer.

The floods in Kerala have been a nightmare…there is so much that is needed to bring back some normalcy, to the devastation that nature has caused…I sent cash of 51 lakhs and 6-7 cartons of my personal clothing for the relief efforts – about 80 jackets and clothing combinations, scarves and trousers and about 40 odd shoes…sneakers and rubber soled to give some respite to them that have to rebuild their homes and lives.

I say this not for the gain of appreciation but, with the hope that many more shall come forward to bring comfort to our brothers and sisters who are in the deepest of misery and whenever there is need for more, I shall make effort again to muster up whatever more I can do.

I never did want to talk about this, I never have in the past, but at the Press Conference for KBC a journalist asked me what I was doing for society. And among the many other social causes and campaigns I work for, I had to bring this up as well,” says Bachchan.