Hyderabad: Actor, producer, and champion for nature Dia Mirza turns 40 on December 9. This year, she is dedicating her special day to the frontline forest warriors who lost their lives during the ongoing pandemic and has pledged Rs 40 lakh to their families.
In a deeply moving appeal, posted on fundraising platform ‘Milaap’ and on her social media handles, the star said, “On my birthday this year, I would like to take the opportunity to request all those who may want to send me flowers or gifts to instead make a donation to WTI to help our VanRakshaks. There could be no better birthday gift! Your gift will help support the bereaved families of India’s ‘Guardians of the Wild’ who lost their lives to Covid 19 while protecting our natural heritage.”
The bollywood actress further added, “Beginning with my 40th birthday on 9 December, for the next 40 days, I will donate a lakh each day and hope that you all will (contribute alongside me to the best of your abilities/match or better that amount) as we seek to maximise our collective impact!(sic)”
Dia further said, “Between March and June 2021, when most of us stayed at home, India lost more than 500 of these conservation heroes to Covid-19! Most of them were young, between 30 and 50 years of age, and had committed their life to preserve India’s wildlife. The sudden demise of so many young, committed people is not only heart-wrenching but a blow to nature conservation.”
The link to the appeal: https://milaap.org/fundraisers/Wildlife-Trust-of-India?utm_source=shorturl
