Gujarat stands by Big B as envoy

The Gujarat government on Saturday said that despite political controversies, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan will continue to be the brand ambassador of Gujarat tourism.

This was disclosed by the Gujarat tourism minister, Mr Jay Narayan Vyas, at a press conference here on Saturday. Mr Vyas who is leading a delegation to Andhra Pradesh to invite Gujaratis settled here to participate in Gujarat’s golden jubilee celebrations in May said except “marketing issues” there is no “politics” involved in Big B being the brand ambassador.

“A celebrity endorses a brand based on its USP and Gujarat commands a vibrant ‘brand image’ in terms of industrial, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism development. Bachchan conveyed his willingness to showcase the development of Gujarat in the last 50 years irrespective of political controversies over him being the ‘brand ambassador’,” Mr Vyas said.

He also came down heavily on the Congress and Left parties for politicising the issue for their selfish ends. “They should realise that Amitabh Bachchan is promoting Gujarat and not a particular government in the state. They should also realise that Gujarat is a part of India,” he said.

“I don’t know whether the political parties are opposing the Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, Bachchan or Gujarat. They should realise that he is just endorsing ‘brand Gujarat’,” he said.

He said if the tourism industry develops in Gujarat on account of this, it can fetch jobs for thousands of employed people in the nation. “It will also increase the revenue of the nation by attracting more and more tourists, since Amitabh has the charisma to create a positive impact on them. Some politicians are attacking Big B just to gain cheap publicity,” he added.

He said the delegation will tour Andhra Pradesh till April 5 and meet nearly 2.5 lakh Gujaratis residing in the state and invite them to the golden jubilee celebrations. He will also meet the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah and invite him to participate in the celebrations. Mr Vyas said the Gujarat government has planned various programmes throughout the year involving public as part of golden jubilee celebrations.