Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who was adjudged the world's fourth most beautiful lady, today reiterated the importance of stem cell banking by mothers and the situation that led to her decision to go in for stem cell banking for her daughter.

"The decision to bank umbilical cord cell had to be taken at a time when taking baby steps to parenthood. And on our part, we did some research, spoke to friends and our families, of course. We were informed about it," said Bachchan, a young mother herself.

Donning a red saree and black blouse with a string of fragrant jasmines decorating her hair bun - the traditional attire of women from the South, Bachchan looked elegant and aptly dressed for the day today - Parents' Day. On being informed it was Parents' Day, the mother of two-and-a-half year old Aaradhya said, "Every day is Parents' Day.

We are meant to have such a beautiful experience in our lives and let us celebrate that emotion every week and day in our lives." Describing the situation that led to her decision to go in for stem cell banking for her daughter, she said "Knowledge can be very very useful and once were aware of the potential of stem cell banking, the decision was natural and we recognised how stem cells are such a precious gift that can be given to our children."


"I think that every expecting parent in our country should become aware of stem cell banking. Stem cells from the umbilical cord is a nature given resource. That needs to be preserved," she said. Bachchan was here to celebrate the milestone achievement of LifeCell's preserving of 1,00,000 umbilical cord stem cell units.