Raveena Tandon hails girl power at Modi's two-year bash

Actress Raveena Tandon, who along with her craft is also known for backing social causes, joined the celebration of two years of the Narendra Modi government here on Saturday, and urged people to lead girls towards success by imparting education.

After megastar Amitabh Bachchan took to the stage to promote the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padao' campaign at the event, 'Ek Nayi Subah', held at India Gate here, Raveena took part in a panel discussion, stressing on how education can lead women towards better living.

She said: "Beti bachao, Beti padao is very important because she will move ahead with education only... A woman keeps the family together and leads it towards success and prosperity. It is important for our foundation - our mothers, sisters and daughters - to get education... To give them strength so that they can move forward and show the world what they can do."

Raveena, who has been in the film industry for 25 years, added: "I don't think I am capable enough to change the country, but I try to do whatever I can do wherever I think I can pitch in."

The actress, who has also been vocal about animal welfare, shared how she helped a group of 30 girls when they were asked to vacate an orphanage overnight.

The 41-year-old said: "I was associated with an orphanage, which was on rent. The landlord got greedy and asked 30 girls to vacate when they got a better deal. So some of the staff members called me to explain the situation and I said that they can come to my place anytime. They were with me for one year."

Raveena was not the only one to help the girls find a new home, her friends like Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan from the industry also extended their help.

She said: "I took donations from them and bought land and built an orphanage."

The "Mohra" star took a bold step to adopt two girls in the 1990s before getting married. She says she was determined and "nobody could stop" her.

"I got them home when I was 21. I thought they deserve a better life," she said.

--IANS

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