A Sen-sational gesture!

Sushmita Sen was so taken in by Project Shiksha that she impromptu donated a cheque to help needy kids

Those of you who thought beauty queens only talk about mother Theresa and charity to win beauty contests, Sushmita Sen is out to prove you wrong.

The former Miss Universe, who was a guest at an event by P&G, which made a contribution of 2.27 crore to educate 67,000 needy children under Project Shiksha, was so emotionally moved by it all that she decided to donate some amount for the cause herself.

Not only did Sen donate the cheque, but she also volunteered to pass the hat to everyone present so that they could make their own bit of contribution.

She said, “This is extra-ordinary. I truly believe that our lives are not just ours and every child has a right to education. I am so glad that there are certain people who are making a move towards providing that basic right to these children. Our country’s greatest resource is the human resource and this cause makes good use of it. I would like to start with making a contribution myself and I would like each of you to contribute to this cause. Even one coin will do,” she said in jest.

Actor Konkona Sen Sharma, who was also present at the event, seemed totally awe-struck by Sush’s presence and gesture. “I am truly humbled to be a part of this occasion,” she said.

Source: Daily News & Analysis

Ex-Miss Universe Sushmita Sen plans autobiography

MUMBAI, India -- Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen has decided to write an autobiography with the tentative title "The Butterfly."

A former Miss Universe, Sen said she has begun writing chapters, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

She said the inspiration for the title came from one of her favorite sayings -- "what the world calls the end of a caterpillar's life, God calls a butterfly."

"I have written some portions of it," The Times of India newspaper quoted Sen saying. "And yes, the working title is called 'The Butterfly.'"

A model-turned-actress, Sen was crowned Miss Universe in the Philippines in 1994 and has since acted in 30 Hindi-language movies.

Sen plays a widow in an updated version of a Bollywood classic "Sholay," or "Embers," to be released this week.

She played a rock star in her last film, "Zindagi Rocks," or "Life Rocks," and a prostitute in an earlier movie "Chingari," which also translates to "Embers" in Hindi.

Sources: Philippine Daily Inquirer and Associated Press