Bollywood actor Vidya Balan has been appointed by the Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation as brand ambassador to spread awareness about sanitation and cleanliness in the country.

Said Vidya, ''This role will work a lot because they are working on a national movement. It is a matter of great honour for me to become the brand ambassador of sanitation campaign,'' she said. She has agreed to give her time for the campaign for two years and will be fully involved in the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan the restructured version of the Total Sanitation Campaign.

Speaking on the matter, Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said, ''She will appear in ad campaigns to propagate construction and use of toilets. Balan is the first brand ambassador of the Ministry. Vidya's involvement will make the campaign to end open defecation a national obsession.''