The seeds of hate that may lie in their hearts need to removed forever. The past is gone and history cannot be rewritten but the history we are about to write in the future can be made correct” says Vivek Oberoi - the critically acclaimed Bollywood mega star on his visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka for the IIFA Weekend 2010. Vivek is soon to embark on a trip to Vavuniya after the conclusion of the IIFA weekend to commence preliminary work before he is able to set up the framework for social reform. Vivek believes that a child’s laughter and happiness can help to heal many wounds and can gradually help to lift anger and hatred that even adults may harbour in their hearts. One lesson he’d teach and want children all around the globe to learn would be to love – despite the adversities they may face. A child must be learnt to believe in hope in order to truly understand how to love.

Extremely friendly and accommodative, the dashing Vivek Oberoi was all smiles for Colombo Spirit as he animatedly chatted about his work and passion in life. Blessed with a multitude of worldly treasures, Vivek has learnt early the true gifts of life and has fulfilled many dreams by simply making way for the less fortunate to fulfil their own dreams and ambitions. Vivek entered the Indian Film Industry with a bang in 2002 in the film “COMPANY” by Ram Gopal Varma and has ever since won the hearts of fans worldwide for his acting prowess, fine looks, charismatic presence and social conscience. Vivek first came to Sri Lanka fourteen years ago for the Singer Cricket Cup to watch the Indians lose out to the Lankan’s. Being quite an avid Cricket fan Sanath Jayasuriya was a hot favourite from the Lankan team for Vivek. Disheartened at the eventuality of the Cricket match, Vivek wasn’t disappointed with what the Paradise Isle had to offer – and revelled in the marvellous hospitality, great tasting thambili’s and of course the lovely Lankan ladies.

He also recalls staying at the then Lanka Oberoi and had a good laugh at his failed attempt to get a group discount for his friends at the hotel!! Speaking of changes he see’s since his last visit, Vivek quite aptly picks up on something we locals have all been able to enjoy in the recent past and that has been the loosened grip on security in the city. Vivek recalls excessive security checks from the past and has found that this time over – it’s been quite a breeze through (not to mention he’s a VVIP in the city).

It would be safe to say that Vivek’s social awareness or calling came right after meeting a young lady called Pooja. Vivek had just been presented with his first cheque after filming a movie and was looking for prudent investments to make with his hard earned money. He considered the stock market, real estate and what not until he met Pooja who inspired his legendary philanthropic work to help alleviate the girl child and outcaste woman. Vivek found that Pooja didn’t run around the garden playing hide and seek or hop scotch and upon inquiring why, found out soon that Pooja had a heart condition that made her weak and blue in the face at the slightest exertion. It hit Vivek like a thunderbolt!! What better investment than the investment in a life?? This thought inspired a great act which soon enough turned into a multitude of goodwill as Vivek used his earnings to help save little Pooja’s life. That one investment reaped many rewards for Vivek and Pooja as she went on to pursue her studies and live life to the fullest. Today Vivek has taken that act one step further and has gone on to helping 1500 other girls and socially outcaste women that require the support and love of a family when they have none to really turn to.

Vivek splits his time three ways and dedicates it in the form of social work, social reform and social activism. Whilst supporting many causes and initiating a few himself, Vivek also finds time to support his family charity, The HOPE Foundation. What’s also impressive is the fact that Vivek quite fluently translates HOPE in Sinhala as “Balaporuththuwa”. Two thumbs up on the crash course in Sinhalese!! But what’s more impressive is the fact that Vivek finds the time to fight for the cause of society and day to day problems they face that one can usually overlook. Currently Vivek is fighting a case for rail accident victims in Delhi under his social activism work. 40,000 people a year lose their limbs to an accident related to the railways and such staggering figures have warranted some attention and recourse for a very long time. Vivek is involved with fighting to create change through the law with social reform initiatives and is involved immensely with Social work with foundations and bodies like IIFA that generate worldwide attention for a worthy cause.

Vivek Oberoi was the representative at the press conference held for the friendly Cricket match organised to take place on Friday 4th June at the SSC grounds in aid of UNICEF – under the banner Cricket for Children. The initiative “Cricket for Children” encourages and tries to give back lost childhoods to children sucked into the war as child soldiers. By introducing Cricket into their lives, there is hope in salvaging their innocence and childish dispositions.

Children lay close to Vivek’s heart and you can catch Vivek playing a bit of Cricket in their cause this Friday afternoon. He believes strongly in the proper guidance and support for uplifting such children back into a befitting place in society. Basic education and vocational training are integral in ensuring that a child has the skill and is adept at making a living for his or her life. Vivek has also worked extensively with Tamil children in the past during the aftermath of the Tsunami by building a residential school and by also inculcating a sister organisation within the premises. This residential school houses approximately 200 women who had lost everything to the Tsunami and found themselves vulnerable overnight. These women were given extensive vocational training to ensure their livelihood and were also responsible for caring for younger girls in the facility. Whereby creating a loving sister culture that ensured there was someone for everyone. Vivek has also been involved in uplifting approximately 1500 women and girls in Vrindavan, India who have been isolated from society for being unable to bear children, not bringing forth a male child and widows who are unfairly marginalized. His work in Vrindavan helps to give these women a better meaning in their lives and helps them find a new place in society.

Vivek Oberoi can be seen parading down the catwalk at the IIFA Fashion Extravaganza on opening night and later the next day, out on the Cricket pitch supporting a cause closest to his heart.