Catalina

In 1999, Michael was awarded the Outstanding Humanitarian Award in India by the Indian Film Industry (Bollywood Award).

“Thank you very much for this honor you have awarded me tonight. I’ve always believed that the real measure of celebrity success was not just how famous he becomes, but what he does with that fame and fortune. Especially in today’s technological and media advanced society, the attention and fortune showered on an individual celebrity is often times immensely disproportionate to his or her achievements. Today a person can literally become a celebrity overnight throughout the entire world, and that kind of attention can be difficult for an individual to handle. But I have also learned that such fame can also be an enormous, effective medium to focus attention and mobilize resources for a worthy cause. I have been blessed with so much and have an opportunity to do what few others can. But I believe it is more than just an opportunity, but a duty. I feel to reap and enjoy the fruits of my talent for myself would be selfish, irresponsible, and unconscionable. In these days of such abundance and advancement in what we can do, it pains me to think that we do so little for our children. In some ways I feel undeserving to receive an award for doing something that is my duty. I accept this award as a gesture of encouraging from the people of India and a commission to do more for mankind. I love you very much.

Is this the longest speech?