That time when the pen was mightier than the sword might be passé. Battles are won and lost on the virtual world these days, and celebrities and influencers play key roles. One tweet/one post/one Insta story from their loaded handles could go a long way in helping those with a pertinent message but no reach. Sample 16-year-old environmental activist, Greta Thunberg, whose cause is dear to the world, as should be. We think she needs all the support she can get, and more.
This morning, we woke up to a show of strength for the little girl with stars (and tears) in her eyes, from Bollywood stars. From Priyanka Chopra to Alia Bhatt and Shraddha Kapoor, the ladies congratulated Greta for her powerful speech at the United Nations. They thanked her for giving them a “punch in the face” to quote Priyanka, Alia urged her fans to “Listen, learn, think, act” and Shraddha lauded with a “way to go” message on her Twitter page. Very well, we say, but here’s a question for Priyanka, Alia and Shraddha – why don’t we share the same enthusiasm over causes closer home and those who espouse them.
In this case, can we please take a moment to introduce you to 11-year old Uttarakhand resident Ridhima Pandey. This girl, who is younger in age to Greta, and is a clear veteran in the climate change game, deserves to be noticed, to be heard. We believe she deserves to be on that stage at the United Nations, to have her young and fierce voice heard. Her dreams are full of purpose and hope for a better tomorrow, and they need your support, dear Bollywood.
Ridhima is a young climate activist, and was all of 9 years, when she filed her first law suit, taking on the Indian government. At that age, she was probably the youngest person, to do so. She filed a case with the National Green Tribunal against the government for its inability to deal with climate change problems, despite knowing the repercussions they have, she claimed. Did you know of her, or her cause, Dear Bollywood?
While speaking to The Independent in 2017, she had said, “I want a better future. I want to save my future. I want to save our future. I want to save the future of all the children and all people of future generations.”
Talking about our future, a major environmental threat are the hazardous fires that have been erupting in the Amazonia. After Hollywood shared concern over glaring climatic problems the fires could result in, Bollywood celebs like Anushka Sharma, Arjun Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Bipasha Basu too shared the same on their social media pages. However, closer home issues like air pollution, terrible management and disposal of waste, water scarcity, water pollution, loss of biodiversity are some of the major scares that are staring at our face. We are yet to see any of these being taken up as a campaign by the celebrities who have the power to make or break. Give it a thought.
Image Source:- instagram/priyankachopra/aliaabhatt/climatevsclimatecrises