Shrinanda KothariThe twenty-first century is a threat to our environment in many ways like pollution, diseases, global warming, the melting ice caps, forest fires, invasive species, and the list is endless. But many actors and actresses have raised their hands in protecting the environment. So, let’s meet the B-town’s eco-warriors who do their bit for the environment.
Dia Mirza
Dia Mirza is an eminent model, filmmaker, actress, and activist. She is a committed voice of change and has contributed her efforts in the field of conservation, environment, and social change. She is the face of many noted campaigns. She is the UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador for India. She actively supports conscious environmentalism.
Dia is also the ambassador for Wildlife Trust of India, which is a part of the Swachh Bharat Mission’s youth-based program. She is also a member of the Sanctuary Nature Foundation. Speaking about the environment today, Dia said, “Every title deed towards a greener lifestyle goes a long way and every little choice that we make must be rooted in respecting the diversity of nature”. She was even awarded for her exemplary contribution to social welfare in Maharashtra.
Bhumi Pednekar
Bhumi Pednekar is an actress and a social activist. She has dedicated herself to raising awareness about climate change and the need for sustainable living. She has been vocal on climate conservation in the recent past. The actor has now partnered with one such worldwide initiative. Her social messages have given motivation to many as she wants to use her voice to bring positive changes to society.
Bhumi is hoping to utilize her online and offline initiative ‘Climate Warrior’ to aware citizens of India Contribute to protecting the environment. Bhumi Pednekar launches an environmental footprint calculator. “On Earth Day, I will be giving pieces from my wardrobe a new life with you, and also launch the Dolce Vee Environmental Footprint calculator so you can see your very real impact by choosing preloved,” said the actress.
Nana Patekar
He ruled the screen and became an iconic figure in Indian cinema expressing the angst of society in his effusive style. He got National awards, Filmfare and Padma Shri (India’s fourth highest civilian award) remain a crowning glory for his towering presence in every story he attempts to tell on the performing stage, in both Hindi and Marathi.
Nana has an Organization, NAAM based in the city of Pune, India. The foundation works for the betterment of farmers in the drought-prone areas of Marathwada and Vidarbha in the state of Maharashtra. NAAM’s role in changing lives and social dynamics is not something Nana is bumptious about. This has influenced positively the lives of many farmers who would have suffered badly.
Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt is a well-known model and actress famous for her Hindi language films. She has received many Filmfare awards for the same. She took the initiative to fill in wardrobes in an environmentally friendly way. “Awareness is the only way with which we can make India clean”, said the actress. And for the same, she has come up with ‘Mi Wardrobe is Su Wardrobe’ (MiSu), a Wardrobe-sharing initiative, wherein garments and shoes from actors and fellow eco-warriors will be available for purchase online at reasonable rates.
Requesting people to choose sustainable fashion and consider recycling and upcycling of garments. Not only this, the actress appeals to her fans to stop the usage of plastic and save the environment by using steel or glass. To support the cause of the environment, the actress started an initiative COEXIST to make people aware of how their actions can harm the environment and help them make conscious and right decisions in right of the environment.
John Abraham
John Abraham is one of the most lovable actors in India. He has not only done some great movies but also showed his attention to the sector of the environment. He has shown his support for several social causes in recent years. He has associated himself with ‘Power light A Village’, a 2013 initiative to provide solar electricity to remote villages across India. He also took the initiative against animal abuse in India’s circuses. He joined the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in 2005 and hence has been since a supporter of the foundation.
Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar is an actor and a film producer who works in Indian cinema. He has won several awards including national awards, and two Filmfare awards. He has been doing his bit for the environment in various ways. Through his 2017 movie ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha he raised the issue of poor sanitation in villages of India. This helped in better sanitation in many villages and also improved the health of the country. He was appointed as the face of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ by the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments. The actor is also the face of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) ‘Swachh Sarvekshan Drive’ through which citizens are encouraged to maintain the city’s cleanliness. He is also the ambassador of the Government of India’s road safety campaign in the hope to change the behavior of people regards to traffic and road safety.
Amir Khan
Amir Khan is an Indian actor and a social activist. He has contributed a lot to the environment and society. Paani Foundation is the organization initiated by him and his ex-wife Kiran Rao. The CEO of the foundation is Satyajit Bhatkal. This Foundation aims to make rural Maharashtra drought-free and spread knowledge of watershed management and groundwater replenishment. This has been organizing the Satyamev Jayate water cup competition since 2016, where villages compete with each other to implement watershed management and water conservation methods in the summer leading up to the monsoon season.
“Five years ago, we started with a small dream. The dream was that if people united and worked as one, Maharashtra would become drought-free. In 2016, 116 villages were working to become water-abundant. By 2019, over 4,700 villages joined the movement. People worked relentlessly and shattered barriers of gender, politics, class, religion, and caste. Moving forward, we envision a future where Maharashtra’s citizens can create the villages of their dreams; where we can restore our environment and ensure greater financial security. We invite you to join this water revolution” say Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao.
These are some B-Town’s Eco-Warriors who with their little contribution saved a lot for the society and motivated many to do the same for the benefit of the future environment.
