In a ceremony amid the lush greenery at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the Singapore Tourism Board and the National Parks Board today presented Indian film icon Amitabh Bachchan with his very own unique orchid, the Dendrobium Amitabh Bachchan.

In town to promote the International Indian Film Academy Weekend which will be held in Singapore from 20 to 22 May, Mr Bachchan attended the ceremony with Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, Mr Lim Neo Chian as well as the Director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Dr Chin See Chung.

I thank Mr Lim for his kind words on my approachability, friendliness, warmth and that I'm always smiling, I'd like to say that I've picked this up from the Singaporeans I have met during my visit here. Singaporeans are always willing to help and are always smiling, said Mr Bachchan during the naming ceremony.

Singapore fans and tourists were also gathered at the iconic Burkhill Hall, a beautiful model of tropical colonial architecture, at the National Orchid Garden to get a glimpse of their idol at this very special orchid-naming ceremony.

This robust and free-flowering orchid will grow alongside others named after Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth, Gloria Arroyo and Kofi Anand at the National Orchid Garden.

After the naming ceremony, Mr Bachchan was whisked off for a shopping trip at Singapore's favourite shopping boulevard, Orchard Road, before catching his flight back to India.

Source: Singapore Tourism Board.