Special birthday present for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

In a fitting birthday present for Bollywood’s one of the most beautiful actresses, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the French government will felicitate the star with the ‘Officer Dan Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ (officer of the order of arts and letters) honour today, which is also her 39^thbirthday. The former beauty queen was offered the same award in 2009 but she refused to accept the second highest civilian French honour as her father Krishnaraj Rai was not well. Last year also the French government postponed the investiture ceremony in deference to the victims of the Mumbai bomb blasts, however, now the proud mother will finally get the honour today in the presence of the entire Bachchan family, including in-laws Amitabh and Jaya, hubby Abhishek and her parents.

A close source said, “Since it’s Ash’s birthday, all the family members have kept themselves free for attending the ceremony. The honour has been evading her for the past three years, so everyone wants to make it very special for her this time around”. The source added, “Ash is happy about the fact that she happens to be the youngest recipient. It’s going to be a very emotional moment for her”. Other actors to be honoured with the award include Shah Rukh Khan and Hollywood biggies George Clooney and Meryl Streep, whereas Ash’s father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan has been the recipient of the only higher French civilan honour, the Légion d'honneur.