Food Expert and Indian American television personality Padma Lakshmi have been appointed the new ' Goodwill Ambassador ' of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and she will support the agency's fight against inequality and discrimination across the world. UNDP announced the appointment of Lakshmi on Thursday on the eve of International Women's Day.

Nominated television personality and award-winning writer Lakshmi will be working in a new role, focusing on fighting against inequality and discrimination and empowering the deprived, while supporting support for sustainable development goals.

UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner announced the name of Lakshmi as 'Goodwill Ambassador'. "When we are celebrating International Women's Day. We should remember that women and girls have to face the most discrimination and difficulties in the world," Lakshmi said at a press conference organized by UNDP.

He said that as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, he will try to draw attention to the fact that inequality affects the rich and the poorer countries equally. Lakshmi said, "Many countries have managed to reduce poverty, but inequality seems more stubborn."

He said, Inequality is done on the basis of gender, age, caste, and creed. This affects women, minorities and others who have to face unimaginable discrimination in society.  Steiner said that Lakshmi had also been raising voice for discrimination and for the deprived sections.

They said, 'It is necessary that more people like them and raise voices so that we can fulfill our dream of sustainable development goals, which is a common picture of peace and prosperity in the people and the world.'