Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala has urged the global community to come together and support Nepal following the deadly flash floods on August 26 on the Nepal-Tibet border caused by a glacier collapse. The devastating flood has killed more than 900 people, with thousands still missing.
Fighting back tears, the ‘Khamoshi’ actress called India, China and Nepal to work together to tackle global warming and prevent such deadly disasters in the future. “Global warming is real. This is not just some distant issue. I request that we, as human beings and great neighbours, China, India and Nepal somehow join hands in this and do something collectively. We are so interconnected and so we must work together to try to prevent disasters like this,” she said at Sadhguru’s ‘In Solidarity with Nepal’ event in Kathmandu on Sunday. “I hope and pray that we become better people and that we help others just as we ourselves would want to be helped,” Manisha added.
The ‘1942: A Love Story’ actress also appealed to the international community to support Nepal’s tourism industry, especially at a time when the country is facing one of its worst challenges. Calling tourism Nepal’s ‘lifeblood’, she praised the beauty of her country and how Nepal shouldn’t be known as a country that’s ‘full of disasters’. “Beyond this, I want to request the entire international community: you have been so kind and loving toward Nepal time and time again. I pray that your love and support continue. As a nation, we need people to visit our country; we need tourism. We don’t want to be known merely as a country that is full of disasters or constantly facing hardship. We want to be known for our beautiful weather, Himalayas, great people, nature, culture and traditions. Yes, there is a calamity near the Nepal border, but tourism is our lifeblood. I hope and encourage the international community to travel to Nepal once again,” Manisha said.
Manisha belongs to a politically influential family in Nepal. Her grandfather, Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, was the PM of Nepal, as were two of her great-uncles, Girija Prasad Koirala and Matrika Prasad Koirala.
Meanwhile, several Bollywood celebrities have come out in support of Nepal. Like always, actor Sonu Sood has offered to help the affected families of flood-hit Nepal with food, shelter and other assistance. Bhumi Pednekar, who also went to Assam when the state was battling a devastating flood situation a month back, wrote on social media, “Nepal, you are not alone. We are coming with food, shelter and the strength to help you rebuild.”