A Spotlight On Dia Mirza’s Inspiring Journey : From Stardom To Sustainability

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We are celebrating Dia Mirza's birthday today. And no doubt, she has gracefully worn many hats in her journey, from winning Miss Asia Pacific in 2000 to becoming a beloved face in Hindi cinema with her debut in 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein'.

Beyond acting, she's made her mark as a producer, backing films like 'Bobby Jasoos' and the Amazon Prime series 'Mind the Malhotras'.

Always eager to explore new ventures, she co-founded Born Free Entertainment and later launched One India Stories to focus on creating original content. But hey, there is more to Dia than just front of the camera or behind the scenes. What's that you may ask, let's explore.

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Dia Mirza's Life Beyond Movies

Dia Mirza's commitment to making a difference goes far beyond her film career. From adopting cheetah cubs to championing wildlife conservation, her actions speak louder than words. She's lent her voice to crucial campaigns like the Swachh Bharat Mission and Save The Children, inspiring youth and raising awareness on everything from female foeticide to environmental sustainability.

As a UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador, she's taken her advocacy global, hosting events alongside icons like Alec Baldwin and representing India on platforms like the UN Conference of the Parties.

Whether it's cleaning beaches or rallying for the welfare of elephants, Dia leads by example, proving that real change begins with consistent effort. In 2023, her inspiring work earned her a spot in BBC's 100 Women List, cementing her legacy as a force for good.

Dia Mirza's hands-on efforts, like cleaning beaches and advocating for wildlife conservation, reflect her unwavering dedication to creating a sustainable future. Over the years, she has supported numerous initiatives, from the Swachh Bharat Mission to campaigns addressing female foeticide and shrinking elephant habitats. Her work hasn't gone unnoticed as she received the prestigious IIFA Green Award in 2012.

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What Led Her To Be An Environmentalist?

For Dia Mirza, her love for nature started young, thanks to her parents. They encouraged her to climb trees, pick fresh fruit, and marvel at squirrels and birds, making the outdoors her happy place. That childhood joy eventually shaped her path, and slowly, she decided to turn her passion into purpose. She started working with organizations like Sanctuary Asia and the Wildlife Trust of India, diving into environmental and wildlife conservation. Now, as a UN Goodwill Ambassador, she's living a dream she once had as a kid, using her influence to make a real difference, which she thinks is pretty cool.

Her Take On Environmental Degradation

As the UN Environment Programme's Goodwill Ambassador for India, Dia Mirza doesn't hold back when addressing climate change, calling it a very real and pressing issue. She stresses the urgent need for cleaner air, water, and wildlife protection, reminding everyone that these are basic necessities. "Climate change is a reality, and we are experiencing this regularly within India, be it increased frequency and intensity of floods, droughts, and forest fires. We are seeing a series of environmental degradation that is being experienced in the form of air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, and all of this has an impact on human beings, health, and our progress as a nation," she once said to IANS in an interview. Also the Wildlife Trust of India's ambassador, Dia's focus is on creating awareness and working towards practical solutions for the environmental challenges we face.

Speaking about her vision, she said, "We hope to achieve goals in the near future in implementing policy and also ensuring advocacy reaches people to improve and change human behaviour. We need clean air, clean water, and wildlife protection."

She also highlighted the alarming state of air pollution in India during the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi. "Clean air is a very important part of the work that we will do in India. Air pollution, as we know, has reached all-time lows, and ten of the most polluted cities in the world are in India. This has to be recognised as a serious health issue. I hope that the work we do in the near future brings about serious change that will improve the quality of air," she shared. Through her role, Dia aims to ensure these urgent messages reach people and inspire action.

Dia Mirza's Eco-Friendly Choices

By being a perfect example to others, she also pointed out that she significantly reduced her plastic usage by making conscious lifestyle changes.

She is all about ditching plastic and embracing sustainable swaps, and she's discovered some amazing homegrown brands along the way. From Bamboo India, where she gets her bamboo toothbrushes, earbuds, and even a cool bamboo portable speaker, to 100% biodegradable sanitary napkins crafted by women in India, she's leading by example.

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Her eco-friendly habits are even catching her celeb friends' attention. She recalls Ranbir Kapoor curiously asking about her trusty metal water bottle that's always by her side. Her reply? A simple rule: never leave home without your own water, whether you're heading to a meeting, a shoot, or even abroad, even if you are staying at a high-end hotel.

Dia admits it's not always convenient, especially when she's flying solo, but she sticks to it because the science is clear. packaged water isn't just bad for the planet; it's loaded with harmful plastic strands and carcinogens.

Not only that, earlier this year, Dia Mirza lent her support to Volvo Car India's Reverse Project, an initiative turning EV mileage into tree plantations. Focused on transforming a Ghaziabad dump yard into a lush forest, the project aligns with Volvo's mission to go fully carbon neutral by 2040, proving that every mile can make a green difference.

Dia Mirza's One India Stories

At the Oxford India Forum earlier this year she opened up about how storytelling can spark real social and environmental change. She talked about One India Stories, her production company, which focuses on telling powerful stories that shine a light on important issues. One such project, PANA, follows a young boy who loses his mango orchard due to a road construction, aiming to create an emotional connection and raise awareness about environmental destruction.

Mirza emphasized the need for mindfulness and conscious consumerism, pointing out that sustainability starts with each of us making small changes in our daily lives.

She shared a touching moment with her son, who, after finishing his meal, always says, "Thank you, farmer, and thank you, Mama Earth," showing how early lessons can build a deep respect for nature.

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The UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador acknowledged the crucial role young people play in climate movements, giving props to the many grassroots organizations making waves in India. Mirza stressed the importance of real sustainability, calling out greenwashing and urging companies to go beyond surface-level efforts.

As Dia Mirza continues to be a passionate advocate for the environment, using her platform to inspire meaningful change and lead by example in her commitment to sustainability, she believes that true change will only happen when both individuals and industries commit to making sustainable choices a core part of their lives.