YEAR ENDER 2017

Celebrities are no longer just entertainers. There's always news popping up in my social media feed about stars contributing to society which made me notice a growing trend. Celebrities are no longer simply lending their names to causes, ad campaigns or charities. Instead they’re starting their own positive-impact businesses to help tackle some of today’s biggest social and/or environmental problems. Following are the top ten mission-driven, society-minded celebrities making a positive impact. The list includes famous film actors, actresses and sportspersons. Some I’m sure you’ve heard about but quite a few may surprise you!

2. Alia Bhatt

The young starlet announced the launch of her ecological initiative, CoExist by releasing a green sea turtle into the sea. As part of the initiative, she is now championing the welfare of street dogs and cats. She also came together with Varun Dhawan to donne the hats of Romeo and Juliet to spread the message of Adar Poonawalla Clean City initiative, which is a city-wide campaign towards making cities in India liveable.

3.Deepika Padukone

Through her Live Love Laugh Foundation, Deepika has openly spoken about a very personal cause like depression and how it had an effect on her life. The foundation looks at ways to reduce stigma, spread awareness and change the way we look at Mental health. They organise awareness programmes for schools and sensitisation programmes for general physicians, and have launched many campaigns like More Than Just Sad, You Are Not Alone and Dobaara Poocho.

4. Dia Mirza

The 35-year-old actor has been recognized by the United Nations for her contribution to environmental conservation and has been appointed UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador for India. As a Goodwill Ambassador, Dia will work with the UN to further spread the message on priority areas including clean air, clean seas, wildlife protection and climate change.

5. John Abraham

John Abraham has been very vocal about his love for animals and has always supported the causes of PETA. The actor has been associated with Habitat for Humanity and Save Our Tigers.

5. Kangana Ranaut

For fearlessly speaking her mind about Nepotism which brought the subject into much needed highlight. Her boldness only made the case more solid and showed a bleak side of Bollywood.

6. Priyanka Chopra

The actress has been honoured with this year's Mother Teresa Memorial award for social justice, for her support to social causes, such as her recent visit to Syria, where she met and interacted with refugee children. The actress, who is a part of Viacom's #Chakachak Mumbai campaign, was immortalised in wall art in her ‘Mary Kom’ avatar. She also lent her voice for dogs on a PETA video.

7. Salman Khan

John Abraham has been very vocal about his love for animals and has always supported the causes of PETA. The actor has been associated with Habitat for Humanity and Save Our Tigers. Kangana Ranaut For fearlessly speaking her mind about Nepotism which brought the subject into much needed highlight. Her boldness only made the case more solid and showed a bleak side of Bollywood.

8. Virat Kohli

Through his Virat Kohli Foundation, Kohli helps underprivileged kids achieve training in sports. Along with the Kerala police, he worked on the anti-drug campaign titles ‘Yes to Cricket and No to Drugs’.

9. Yuvraj Singh

The cricketer has been named Laureus Sport for Good’s first ‘ambassador’ from India. Laureus Sport for Good Foundation uses the positive power of sport to tackle society's most pressing challenges around the globe, supporting projects on every continent. Yuvraj also campaigned for a pollution-free Diwali in Delhi this year.