Mahi on a mission to create AIDS awareness

Ranchi, Jul 19 (UNI) After winning the hearts of cricket fans with his on-field exploits, Team India's one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is earning kudos off the field too.

Dhoni recorded a message here as part of an AIDS awareness campaign. In the message, the wicketkeeper-batsman spoke of the need to combat AIDS and to promote anti-polio programmes.

He also featured in a short film, in which he impressed upon children the importance of studies and asked them to desist from leaving school.

''Dhoni is getting his voice recorded free of cost when the ad people pay him millions of rupees,'' Jharkhand Health Minister Bhanu Pratap Sahi told mediapersons here today.

The voice recordings will be transmitted through radio including FM stations. The short film will be transmitted through local TV channels and Doordarshan.

Dhoni, who opted out of the Test series in Sri Lanka, is resting at his home here.

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