Bollywood actress Dia Mirza, a prominent climate advocate and an unwavering voice for environmental protection, has shared her insights on celebrating Diwali in an eco-friendly manner. A staunch proponent of sustainability, Dia has consistently contributed to the cause of environmental and wildlife conservation in India. In an exclusive conversation with mid-day.com, Dia underscores the importance of returning to eco-conscious practices, particularly during the festival of Diwali, known for its exuberance and traditions.
Dia Mirza is not only an actress but also an eco-investor and entrepreneur who has often used her platform to promote sustainable practices. This Diwali, she calls for a celebration that respects India’s long-standing traditions of circularity and sustainability. “Our ancestors celebrated Diwali with practices that fed birds with rice-powder kolams, used banana leaves for feasts, and decorated homes with natural elements like clay diyas, mango leaves, flowers, and handmade torans,” she explains. “We’re merely carrying forward these beautiful traditions by celebrating a zero-waste, noise-free Diwali.”
Dia’s personal Diwali celebrations reflect her eco-friendly philosophy. They are characterized by simple pleasures: family-focused gatherings, home-cooked meals, and the soft glow of lamps. She shares, “Each year, instead of adding to the waste generated by gifting, I choose to plant trees for everyone I wish to greet. This time, I’ve donated to the Salaam Baalak Trust, which aligns with planting seeds of lasting joy.”
Tracing back to her childhood, Dia claims that noise and smoke were never synonymous with her Diwali experiences. “As a child, Diwali was about the serenity of lighting oil lamps and creating flower rangolis. My mother would fill our home with light and beauty, and we’d indulge in sweets with friends,” she reminisces. Her eco-friendly Diwali remains lullaby-quiet and nature-loving, adhering to quieter traditions passed down through the generations.
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Sharing tips on how to achieve a more sustainable approach to the festival, Dia suggests, “Create torans using mango leaves, craft flower rangolis, and decorate with urlis filled with rose petals and earthen diyas. Enhance the ambiance with brass deepams and soy candles.” These thoughtful ideas are not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally sound.
Dia believes that the journey towards eco-friendly celebrations begins with intentionality. “Yes, it is challenging initially, but once we start to carve out pollution-generating elements from our celebrations, we discover simpler ways to honor our cherished festivals,” she assures.
Her appeal to embrace eco-conscious practices goes beyond the festival. “It’s vital to reclaim and preserve our Indian traditions deeply rooted in sustainability. Our ancestors embodied eco-friendliness, emphasizing the importance of upcycling old items, minimizing waste, honoring Earth, respecting biodiversity, and practicing kindness,” she emphasizes.
The call to action is clear. It’s not just about one festival; it’s a lifestyle shift that Dia advocates for. “In honoring these traditions, we also take a step forward in conserving the planet for future generations,” she concludes.
While staying rooted in cultural customs, Dia Mirza is vocal about balancing modern life with sustainable choices. Her voice resonates with families eager to return to meaningful celebrations that encompass cultural richness and environmental mindfulness. Her advocacy reminds us that the choices we make during cultural festivities can have a broader impact on the world around us.
Through this commitment, Dia Mirza continues to illuminate the path toward an eco-sensitive future, urging each of us to reflect on our traditions and choices as we celebrate Diwali. Her message is simple yet powerful – honoring tradition with a contemporary twist can lead to sustainable, joyful experiences.
