Shabana Azmi presented with IIFA Global Leadership Award

Macau, June 12: Indian actress and social activist Shabana Azmi was honoured with the IIFA Global Leadership award here today for her outstanding contribution towards communal harmony and peace. The 58-year-old actress shared the award with Indian origin Hong-Kong based businessman, Hari Harilela at the FICCI IIFA Global Business Forum here which was presented by Amitabh Bachchan and Indian ambassador to China Nirupama Rao.

"Women are niether below nor above men. They are just beautifully different and can contribute to global dialogue that is taking place today," Azmi said while addressing the heavyweights from the business fraternity after accepting the award. We can add something of our own to this global change. By honouring a woman you move one step ahead in this direction," the actress added. Azmi, daughter of famous poet Kaifi Azmi and married to lyricist Javed Akhtar is a prominent name in Indian parallel cinema movement. A recipient of Gandhi International Peace award the actress has been an active member from the film fraternity to fight against extremism, communalism, AIDS and terrorism. The previous recipient of the honour have been Martin Sorrell, Ceo, WPP Group and Nobel-Laureate R K Pachauri, the chairman of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Bureau Report