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PUNE: Aamir Khan has developed a sound rapport with schoolchildren all over the country, all thanks to his hit movie Taare Zameen Par .

On Tuesday morning, on the occasion of Dada J.P. Vaswani's 90th birthday celebrations, the actor interacted with 6,000 students from 15 schools in Pune at the B.J. Medical Ground.

The programme was a hit from the moment Aamir stepped onto the dais along with Dadaji. They were joined by other heavyweight dignitaries including opposition leader L.K. Advani's wife Kamla Advani and daughter Pratibha and former deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, Najma Heptullah, who happens to be Aamir's aunt.

Earlier in the day, the students had enthusiastically participated in a painting competition Taare Zameen Par , on the Earth 's actual precious gems.

According to Dadaji, however, the children are the real gems. "In order to build a nation, you have to build yourself first. For this you must follow three principles - always speak the truth, never yield to anger and share the good things of life with those in need," said Dadaji.

No one could agree more than Aamir. Busy with his forthcoming film Ghajini , Aamir is also deliberating ways to reach out to students. The superstar will soon be teaching at a school in Bandra under Times of India's 'Teach India' campaign. His determination to connect with the young and ambitious was evident throughout the programme.

"I feel the need to be involved with the students' problems. It is something I'm doing outside of my work. But it's going be an enriching experience for me," said Aamir, who asked the children present to join him in wishing Dadaji. And zestfully they all sang, 'Happy Birthday to You, Dadaji...'

Aamir also launched the book, Dada JP Vaswani: A Living Legend on the occasion. A token of appreciation gifted to him by Dadaji added much humour to the event - a gold star with 'Aamir Khan: No 1 Star', written on it.

"Oh God! Shah Rukh (Khan) has had it now," quipped Aamir, sending his young audience into peals of laughter.

The crowd then prodded Aamir into singing Pappu Can't Dance and Kabhi Kabhi Aditi from his nephew Imraan Khan's movie, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na .

Rock bhajans, a dance medley based on Aamir Khan's film songs and a small performance by former Indian Idol contestant Abhilasha, added to the day's entertainment quotient.

But the right messages were put across to the people concerned - that of understanding the power schoolchildren and India's youth possess. Heptullah's message also received resounding applause.

"With mounting violence and terrorism, there is a need for today's children who are future citizens, to make the world a better place sans violence and terrorism," she said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pune/Aamir_enthrals_Pune_kids/article...