Aishwarya invokes Sanskrit 'shloka' at UN address

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan recited the Sanskrit mantra 'Om Shanti' to convey her message of peace at the United Nations, where she addressed students and urged them to set aside their egos and individual desires to find peace within themselves.

Bachchan, 38, visited the UN headquarters here yesterday, participating in the world body's annual ceremony to commemorate the International Day of Peace.

It was a packed day for Bachchan who met UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and UN Messengers of Peace actor Michael Douglas, British anthropologist Jane Goodall, Jewish-American writer and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel and American actress and singer Monique Coleman.

She later participated in a panel discussion attended by students from across the country on the theme of 'Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future.'
Bachchan also has meetings lined up next week with Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidibe.

Addressing the large gathering of students, Bachchan said she herself felt like a "student" as she begins her association with the UN which could see her working with the world body on pressing issues of health and AIDS.

"This experience, my journey beginning today with the United Nations is quite a learning curve for me," she said in her remarks to the students and members of civil society.

"I am a great believer in the UN because uniting for a better world is what we all are very passionate about here. Unity takes courage, commitment and leadership," she said.

Sharing a lesson she learnt from her father, Bachchan urged students to let go of their egos and and recognise "that it is about we and us and not I."

"We need to cut out our wants, desires, basic ambition to try and override each other and expand power. Only then we will be able to find our peace," she said.