Shilpa amuses audiences at India Day Parade

She is a hot bod, is an established actress, a yoga proponent, a business woman in the making and also a very confident Indian, who handled the acute attack of racism with much panache. The Jade Goody incident was a turning point in Shilpa Shetty's career, and since then she has come a long way.

While in town to be a part of the India Day Parade as the Grand Marshal, she met the members of the press on the eve of celebrations. In a formal question answer session, Shilpa spoke with the much excited journos about the Shilpa Shetty foundation, glamor as an intrinsic part of the India Day Parade in New York, her few substantial role and of course racism.

Here are the excerpts.

Q: In the past few years you have been heavily involved with campaigns for HIV, AIDS and Peta. What is it that you are currently campaigning for and why?

A: That's a very interesting question. I have just started my own foundation, the Shilpa Shetty foundation and we want to make people aware of very important issue of global warming. We've partnered with a company and we are supplying lamps to villages. There are a lot of villages in India and other parts of the world, where they don't have basic resource like electricity. Through this foundation I'd like to help people who really need help. Also through this foundation, we will also be bringing about awareness on how to conserve energy. I also want to take up the issue of educating the girl child. There is a lot of people in India who want to educate their children, and would rather educate a boy. I really want to take this forward and educate the girl child. People who want my help can have a direct access through this website, which is in the making.

I have helped a lot of other charities but I don't know whether the money is going in the right direction or not. So I decided to do it myself and chose the people who need help. Please log on to www.shilpashettyfoundation.com (Once it is up and running )

Q: I wanted to know about Shahrukh Khan since he was detained at the Newark airport. We'd like to have your comment.(Since she had landed that very morning, she wasn't aware of what exactly had happend. So after a lot of detailing by a reporter, she comments)

A: I have been through this whole thing of racial discrimination and I think it is a little over and done with me. I think every one has the right to live with dignity and if some thing like that has happened (with Shahrukh), I hope it is not contrived, but if it has it's really unfortunate. There are a lot of people who are being inconvenienced but if you see how grave the situation was with the terrorist attacks, I think even Mumbai has become a little over cautious. It's unfortunate when it happens with celebrities and I think when it does happen with celebrities, it happens much more.

Q: Shilpa, what does Independence Day mean to you and why do you think glamor needs to be such a driving force to pull in the crowds.

A: Ahhh! You'll have to ask the organizers. The reason, why I am here is firstly because of the fact that I am a very proud Indian. I liked the thought of actually these people putting day and night together to put this event up for people who are Indians, who live away from their country and still want to celebrate this day with equal gusto. I thought that was a very endearing way to get me on, to do something like this. Glamor really never hurts, because obviously this is their one time opportunity to see actors, up, close and personal.

Q Don't you think over the years the younger generations have forgotten the struggles of our forefathers and glamor has kind of overshadowed the whole essence.

A: Well I look at it in a little positive way, my perspective is very different from yours. At least they are reminding the children of today who've forgotten what Independence Day is and bringing them together and showing them that this is something that we need to celebrate, despite the fact that you are away from India. So I look at it differently.

Q: You have done exceptionally well in unconventional roles like in Rishtey and Phir Milenge. Are these defining the Bollywood industry?

A: I really don't know. I have never manipulated my career moves and have lived life and done work as its come my way and chosen the best. There has been a sort of a lull in my career in the last one and half years because Metro was my last release. I did a song in Dostana because my films weren't releasing unfortunately. Yes I have reduced in my work, not with the intention of wanting to create any sort of trend setting, I have been there and done that.

After years of work, there's very little that you can choose from and I don't want to be repetitive. The intent is obviously to do quality work. I have always been associate my name to something that spells quality. So the next two films that you see me in will be an Indo-Chinese venture desire, where you;d see me as an Odissi dancer, Sunny's home production which is in the making. Hopefully the lull will come to an end.

Q: What are your experiences and memories of building a cricket team.

A: We have a lot of Gujarati fans! (laughs), which is always a good thing. Well the Royals have not had a very great year, last year but we won it the first year. I had a lot of expectations at IPL 2, since it was my first year. I hope IPL3 proves lucky. All of you Gujarati's will have to support us a little more. Its been a great experience. My memories were a pretty scary the first year because, I had to learn much more about cricket. I first looked at it only as a fan. And knew only a few name. Here I had cricketers in my team from all over the world. But I enjoyed the game and the whole experience.

Q: What are you going to help promote cricket here in the US?

A: I think Lalit Modi will have to do that. I can't really do something can I? Every country has their favorite sports like in the UK its football, and here I think its … baseball and in India it is cricket. So all I .. I really don't know how to answer this question.. all I really hope is that we make a lot money... (laughs)