Aishwarya, Michael Douglas at UN to mark Intl' Day of Peace

United Nations, Sept 22:

actress

joined the

Secretary General

and American actor Michael Douglas here yesterday to commemorate the International Day of Peace.

Bachchan was among a host of celebrities who were at the UN headquarters to take part in the ceremony which is held every year and seeks cessation of hostilities around the world for a day.

"Its an absolute honour to be here. I am glad I have been able to participate and be part of this whole experience," Bachchan told PTI after the ceremony.

Bachchan, 38, said that she was happy to contribute in sending out a strong message of peace. "Peace is the call of the day, has been and will always be," Bachchan said. "We are all here to help resonate the message of peace," she added.

Bachchan was dressed in a black and creme lehenga and a black sequenced top. Bachchan was seen talking to Douglas at the event and later posed for photographs with a group of little children, who played violin during the ceremony.

It was the first time for Bachchan to be participating in the ceremony which was held at the Rose Garden of the UN headquarters. The Secretary General rang the 'Peace Bell' to mark the occasion.

The International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on Sept 21. It is dedicated to peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The day was first celebrated in 1982.

PTI