AMIR KHAN donates money!!

Aamir khan Donates a hefty amount to set up a shelter in Ahmednagar for persecuted women and abandoned girls

Aamir Khan is walking the talk. TOI has learnt that the actor, who has often espoused the cause of the girl child, has joined hands with an NGO to build a sprawling shelter for women in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, about 267 kilometres from Mumbai. The facility will provide short-term shelter, schooling and medical facilities for girls and women in distress - abandoned girls, pregnant women and the ailing.

And though neither the actor nor his office was willing to come on record, there are reports that he has made a donation of 'no less than Rs 5 crore' for the construction of the facility which will be inaugurated on January 26.

When contacted, Aamir confirmed the development through a short text message: "Yes, I will be there at Ahmednagar on January 26th to inaugurate the centre." Sources close to him said that he didn't want to elaborate on it till the centre was inaugurated.

Incidentally, the eight-acre shelter will also provide support and security for women who are persecuted for marrying outside their community or caste. Apparently, Aamir's decision to pitch in for them was brought about by the attack on a couple that participated on his show.

Abdul Hakim, 28, and his 26-year-old wife Mehwish were attacked five months after they appeared on TV. Abdul was gunned down in Bulandshaher, Uttar Pradesh. There were concerns that had Mehwish been provided with a shelter, Abdul could have saved himself.

Satyajit Bhatkat of Aamir Khan Productions, who spearheaded the reality show with Aamir, confirmed the developments and added: "This is a short stay shelter for women but they will also be able to stay on for longer periods. We will provide medical facilities, housing and schooling for the inmates. There will be proper security for the inmates as well as a clean, hygienic place to stay and healthy food. The shelter will be run by Snehalaya," he added.