Bollywood actress Dia Mirza brought a mix of emotion and realism to famous Jaipur Literature Festival as she displayed empathy and reminded all that the clock was ticking on action to stem climate change.
She was on a panel that discussed ways to tackle climate change.
“Do you have time? We just have a decade. Listen to women, listen to mothers, listen to children. And if you don’t understand science, just watch nature,” she said, underscoring the urgency to act on the issue.
But it was the emotional part of her appearance that received attention of the attendees as well as those watching the discussion on screens.
She broke down in her reaction to American basketball legend Kobe Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash in California.
#WATCH Actor Dia Mirza breaks down while speaking at the 'climate emergency' session during Jaipur Literature Festival; she says, "Don't hold back from being an empath". (27.1.20) pic.twitter.com/fyAgH3giL9
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2020
“Don’t hold back from being an empath,” a tearful Mirza said.
“His chopper crashing in California disturbed me. It really upset me. There are different things that upset us on different days, but we take care of ourselves. I was overwhelmed because my blood pressure was low,” she later said, according to Hindustan Times.
Image: UN India/Yangerla Jamir
But several people criticized her for breaking down.
Mirza reacted to the social media criticism with a tweet.
“ts called having a heart. Try it sometime. It makes you a part of the solution.”
“We must never hide the true extent of our feelings.”
