Dia Mirza, adjudged as the second runner-up at Femina Miss India 2000, represented India at Miss Asia Pacific 2000 and was crowned as the winner at the end of the event finale. When she won the Miss Asia Pacific title on 3rd December 2000 in Manila, the Philippines, she became the first Indian since Tara Anne Fonseca to win this title in 27 years.
Dia Mirza received words of appreciation from Nelson Mandela Foundation on 24th August 2020 on her social media account. The official handle (Twitter) of the former President of South Africa praised the actress for her work as an activist, renowned model, filmmaker, and actress. They wrote, “Dia Mirza is an activist, renowned model, filmmaker, and actress. Her work in the field of nature conservation and vulnerable children protection program continues to inspire many around the world. #WomensMonth #WomensMonth2020 #WhileWomenAreAlive.”
Reading such kind and inspiring words from the foundation of the former President, the diva expressed her happiness and honor by stating, “I feel humbled and inspired to continue to work towards building a more sustainable world for all people." She further added, "Nelson Mandela's non-violent and peaceful approach (much like Mahatma Gandhi's) in the freedom movement deeply inspires me. His values and virtues are ones we can all aspire for.”
The Nelson Mandela Foundation applauded the diva for her work in the field of nature conservation, vulnerable children protection programs continue to inspire many around the world. Dia also mentioned, "now more than ever before we must learn to engage, build and work towards accomplishing shared goals peacefully and through partnerships". The beauty queen turned actress is known for her tremendous work towards society. She has been involved with Cancer Patients Aid Association and Spastics Society of India, and has worked extensively with the government of Andhra Pradesh to spread HIV awareness, prevention of female feticide, PETA, CRY and most recently the NDTV Greenathon – an effort to find tangible solutions against pollution and the book, "Deke Dheko" by Radio Mirchi.
Dia was appointed UN Environment's Goodwill Ambassador for India in 2017 and has been constantly contributing her time towards the betterment of the environment. After being appointed as the ambassador, she stated, "I feel honored and inspired by this opportunity to work with UN Environment to protect the environment and promote sustainable development. Environmental issues will be the defining challenge of this era, and I am committed to helping the UN as a Goodwill Ambassador to do everything I can to provide a better future." She joined her hands with ‘Save the Children’ as Artist Ambassador and is committed to help raise awareness about malnutrition, quality education, gender equality and child trafficking. She uses the reach of her celebrity to champion the rights of children in India and around the world.
Dia strongly believes that every child has innate rights which need to be protected in all situations. She believes that we must listen to children and let them be our guide to a more sustainable future in which inequalities are reduced, extreme poverty is eliminated and addressing climate change through disaster risk reduction.
The kind gesture from the Nelson Mandela Foundation towards the environmental activist has been appreciated by her fans and friends. They have mentioned that they are very happy for her work being recognized and praised by such foundation whose work is commendable. Some called it a “great recognition” and everyone wrote that they are proud of Dia.
We are too! Congratulations!