Filmy Greenies

Nobody is as much obsessed with the celebrities in their country as we Indians are. Many a times, Bollywood celebrities have become role models for people in our country. We idolize them in almost every way possible. Wanting to live the kind of life they live, the clothes they wear, the places they visit, their style, in short become just like them.

In a country where advertisements play a major role in the promotion and position of a brand, Bollywood celebrities are rolled in to endorse them with the conviction that more and more people would buy them.

Only if this could also hold true for what they did for our environment. They might be celebrities because of the work they do. However, at the end of the day they all are human beings worried for the world and the environment. Hence, like you and me, they also in some way or the other contribute their bit to make this place greener.

Shahid Kapoor has been a vegetarian since the last many years on which he says, “Being a vegetarian is a lifestyle change and something that comes from a sense of responsibility.” The actor has also put his dog on a vegetarian diet other than celebrities like Kareena Kapoor and Maggie Q.

But it’s not only about changing your eating habits. There are celebrities who might not be vegetarians but are still doing a lot for the environment. Priyanka Chopra is the brand ambassador of NDTV’s Greenathon campaign. Launched in April 2008, the NDTV-Toyota Green campaign was India’s first ever-nationwide campaign to save the environment. The campaign is aimed at creating awareness about environmental issues by involving the people of our country to make a difference.

(In picture: Priyanka Chopra, Jairam Ramesh, Pranoy Roy, R.K. Pachauri)

As part of this environment campaign, NDTV organized India’s first Telethon in 2009 – THE GREENATHON, a fund-raising event that brings in people to donate money to support TERI’s initiative – Lighting a Billion Lives which aims at providing solar power to villages without electricity. In Year 1, they raised funds to light up 56 villages and in Greenathon 2, the event resulted in 115 villages being provided with solar power. Many celebrities like Rahul Bose, Vivek Oberoi with the help of Greenathon adopted villages and lit up the lives of the people living there.

However, there are ground level activities too in which these celebrities indulge to spread awareness and to motivate those around. Back in 2009, Preity Zinta along with industrialist Ness Wadia undertook a cleanliness drive at

Carter Road, Bombay

. After constant complaints to BMC (Bombay Municipal Corporation) and failed reverts, Preity Zinta decided to clean the area of Carter Road herself along with some more willing people.

(In picture: Rahul Bose)

My point here by stating these examples is that even the smallest effort by our side can do a lot for the environment. Clean and hygienic surroundings keep us away from diseases and the plants from dying.

Everybody has idols. But it’s what we idolize about them that matters. Anyone can idolize material things like clothes, shoes, house etc. It’s those who idolize the deeds who would make a difference. 

- This article has been written by Saakshi Jindal, Content Developer in a leading company in Delhi.