Azmi’s trip cut short after fall
Actress flies home to India for surgery
BOLLYWOOD actress and social activist Shabana Azmi had her trip to South Africa cut short after she fractured her wrist during a fall.
Azmi, who is chairwoman of ActionAid India, arrived in South Africa on Monday to attend the annual assembly meeting. However, after falling and hurting herself she had to return to India for emergency surgery.
ActionAid communication and campaigns coordinator for South Africa Dorothy Brislin said: “Azmi arrived earlier in the week and was eager to be a part of the discussions. However, on Wednesday morning she fell and fractured her wrist. We thought she would be able to continue with her meetings but she was in a lot of pain. A medical check-up revealed that her wrist was fractured in three places. Azmi left for India on Thursday morning so she could get emergency surgery back home.”
Brislin said ActionAid was based in 44 countries and addressed poverty, discrimination, women’s rights, education, HIV and Aids and other social issues.
The award-winning actress became the chairwoman of ActionAid India in 2011.
She also runs a nonprofit company called Mijwan, founded by her father, the late poet Kaifi Azmi, in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, north India. Mijwan focuses on providing regular work opportunities to skilled rural women. Azmi, 61, is married to Indian poet and screenwriter Javed Akhta, 68.