New Delhi, 27 July: To mark India's landmark achievement of being certified polio-free, UNICEF celebrated with megastar Amitabh Bachchan who as the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Polio, has played a critical role in mobilizing mass support for India's polio immunization campaign. Over 1000 men and women from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar's "Social Mobilization Network" (SmNet) came together for the event presided by the Hon'ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, UNICEF India Representative , Mr Louis Georges Arsenault and superstar Amitabh Bacchan. The evening paid tribute to the Vaccinators and Mobilizers who worked tirelessly in the diverse and remote parts of the country, ensuring that every child under age 5 was immunized.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Bachchan said, "India's present polio-free status is a matter of great pride. I feel privileged to have been part of the anti-polio campaign. I am delighted that our efforts in spreading awareness and mobilizing communities for polio vaccination have been successful. But this fight was not an easy one. We must thank the thousands of UNICEF supported SMNet Mobilizers and Government vaccinators who have made this victory possible."