Vivek Oberoi has done extensive relief work for those affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and had even adopted a village in Tamil Nadu that was badly affected by the tsunami. Hollywood star Naomi Watts, who’s currently starring in the film The Impossible, wrote him a letter of appreciation which he was felicitated with recently. We’ve got some pix of the event, so check it out – and read on to see what Naomi wrote!
“Words really fail to express how touched I am to see the work you have done for the rehabilitation of the Tsunami-hit families in Thevanapattinam, Tamil Nadu. It takes a lot of courage and immense devotion to be able to take up such a responsibility on one’s shoulders.”
“As a celebrity it is important for us to realise that we can act as catalysts for change but unfortunately few take any real measures. Your effort to bridge this gap deserves appreciation from all quarters.”
“While filming some of the scenes of The Impossible, I came close to realising the unimaginable grief and pain the families must have gone through in December 2004 when the tsunami hit their shores,” she wrote. “I shudder to think about the void it must have created in the lives of people who faced personal losses.”
“I salute you on behalf of the entire team of The Impossible for adopting Thevanapattinam and providing relief work to the tsunami victims. May your unremitting endeavour in the service of humankind go on with undiminished vigour.”
Pix: Yogen Shah for MissMalini.