Dia Mirza donates for a special cause ahead of her birthday

Actor Dia Mirza will be celebrating her birthday on 9th December and she has made sure to make it special in the most noble way possible.

Ahead of the day, Mirza will be donating a lakh each day over a span of 40 days with the hope that contributors will also do their bit to make a collective difference.

The actor is dedicating her special day to the frontline forest warriors who lost their lives during the ongoing pandemic and has pledged 40 lakhs to their families. In a deeply moving appeal, posted on fundraising platform 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."-

She 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!"

She said, "Our guardians of the wild, our van rakshaks risk their lives in service to nature. They often fall to accidents in the toughest of terrain, inclement weather, attacks by wild animals or poachers. When the second wave of COVID-19 tore through the country leading to nationwide lockdowns, these men and women were out patrolling our country’s forests on foot. 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 least we can do now is to recognize their service and stand in support of the young families they leave behind, who have suffered the biggest blow."

Mirza concluded, "I appeal to you to join me and donate for the cause. Our target is to raise the remaining amount to cover all 65 families and your contribution can bring us closer to our goal."