Let the sky be the limit Dr. SRK!

Bollywood Mogul Shah Rukh Khan has been conferred with an honorary doctorate in Arts from the University of Bedfordshire, UK, says a press release. At the time of his acceptance of the honour from Professor Les Ebdon, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University, on July 10, Shah Rukh said, "I am delighted that the NGO Routes 2 Roots nominated me for the Honorary Doctorate in Arts…Today I feel that I am part of the illustrious alumni of this prestigious University. I look forward to doing my bit in providing necessary assistance to the deserving students for higher education in my University."

The doctorate was conferred on Shah Rukh in recognition of his exceptional achievement as a film actor and producer. There is an interesting story behind the award. According to Rakesh Gupta, one of the founders of Routes 2 Roots, "Shah Rukh's mother (Fatima Begum) worked as a social worker and a magistrate while his father (Taj Khan) was an engineer. The couple met propitiously under unusual circumstances when his mother was injured in a car accident. Shah Rukh's mother needed blood which his father who happened to be at the hospital donated without knowing her. So if the story is true then doing social work runs in Shah Rukh's blood, literally. He too looks after the sick and shares his wealth with the poor. But he never talks about it as he feels that if you do charity for a reason, it's not charity."

Shah Rukh does indeed keep a low profile on this aspect of his charismatic personality. According to Gupta, he has funded several charitable causes and has also adopted a few villages for electrification in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Apart from regular donations to organisations and individuals (especially in the case of AIDS and cancer patients), he is behind the creation of a children's ward at the Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai, in memory of his late mother. He is also active with relief funds when the Indian nation faces a natural calamity. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that he was conferred with the prestigious 'Padma Shri' Award for his valuable contribution to Indian art and culture.

Source: Daily Star newspaper in Bangladesh.