Indian Shami Chakrabarti carried Olympic flag

Lonon, July 29 (IBNS) Though Indian athletes and players are yet to sparkle in the ongoing mega London Olympics, civil rights activist Sharmistha Chakrabarti made India proud as she was chosen as one of the carriers of the Olympic Flag inside the stadium on Friday during the inaugural ceremony of the London Olympics.

Sharmistha, popularly known here as Shami, carrried the Olympic Flag along with other great personalities including Secretary General of United Ntions Ban Ki-Moon, boxing legend Muhmmad Ali, great long distance runner of Ethiopia Haile Gebrselassie and noted musician Daniel Barenboim and others.

Though Shami was born and brought up in United Kingdon, she has her roots in India as her Bengali Hindu parents hail from West Bengal before migrating to England.

The 43-year-old is now the Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University and Director of "Liberty" , a civil liberty rganisation here.

A graduate of London School of Economics, Shami also worked for as a barrister for Home Office. She is also a member of the Council and Court of Governors of the London School of Economics.

Shami was appointed Commnader of the Order of British Empire (CBE) in 2007. Shami said she was influenced by her father in gaining interest in civil liberties.

Shami was also short listed for "Political Awards 2006" for "Most Inspiring Political Figure" voted by public and came second to Jamie Oliver and personalities like Tony Blair and David Caameron, former and present Pime Ministers of England, besides George Gailway and Bob Geldof.

Chakrabarti is married to Martyn Hopper and they have one son. They live in Lambeth, South London.