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It's important for people with power to bring about social change: Deepika Padukone

It's important for people with power to bring about social change: Deepika Padukone

The actress has a foundation dedicated to help people battle depression
25 Mar, 2018

Deepika Padukone, who opened up a foundation to help others battle depression, is of the view that those who have influence or power should use it for social good.

"I think it is extremely important for those who are in positions of influence or power to bring about social change. It is extremely important for them to speak up about whatever issue it might be," said the Bollywood actress.

The Piku star believes that the social cause one supports should be close to the person's heart. "For many years, people always said, 'You know you are successful, you should do work in social sectors as well or associate with an NGO'. There were so many options (for me), but I didn't feel like I was being honest to them. It didn't come naturally to me until I came across mental health, also because of my personal experience."

"I don't think there is any fixed time as to when one should do it. I think you should do it when you feel it is right," she said.

Answering the question whether celebrities are more prone to depression due to the emergence of social media and thenbeing under the limelight at all times, Deepika said, "No."

"I think I have understood the correlation between consumption of social media and when it helps. I always believed that whatever you consume, you consume in moderation. If you consume too much, it could have various sorts of impact, not just on your mental health but physical health too. I know people who are up at social media in the wee hours and probably letting it eat up their sleep time. As long as anything that you consume, whether it is social media or otherwise, is done in moderation, and you are aware about your social health, I think you are on the right path."

Speaking of her foundation she said, "My vision for the Foundation is that we become the happiest country in the world. I see Bhutan having their happiness minister, and even some of the Scandinavian countries have the highest rate of mental happiness and I want India to be there, sooner or later."

Comments

Rational Corp Mar 25, 2018 08:07pm
She is absolutely correct. People in power must contribute positively for benefit of society. Well done and keep up the good work.
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Must learn Mar 25, 2018 08:18pm
Deepika is doing wonderful job. Mental illness and disorders on the rise today, India has no shortgage of philanthropists and things going better. Unfortunately here in Pak we have no aware ness about various mental disorders found mostly in women, being superstitious the family members take the ill female to peers, for spiritual treatment which further complicate the subject. There is too much need in Pak and Afghanistan for some NGOs to do something in this direction. Deepika may coordinate with Ma'am Bilquis of Edhi Foundation to do some noble work at neighborhood too.
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syed s ahmed Mar 25, 2018 09:46pm
Well done Padukone.
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A shah Mar 26, 2018 02:44am
An amazing woman in every way!
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Niranjan Mar 26, 2018 07:29am
VERY TRUE! Unfortunately, our forefathers did not think about the social changes immediately after independence, on both sides of the border!
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Rekhtagar Mar 26, 2018 08:16am
Unfortunately people with power, rarely think of social change! They are too busy enjoying their power!
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Abdul Mar 26, 2018 08:09pm
Yes miss this disease is very bad majority patients suffering from this disease feel always blue and hopeless and want to end their precious lives. No doubt the medicine works but very little. I describe this as:- Fill a pot with full of water and put cover or lid on it then start fire underneath of it afte some time the water will start boiling then you will see that steam of water will remove the lid some time a little and or some time more depends with pressure of boiling water. Depression is like this. If he or she trys to keep feelings or intentions inside and kills his or her feeling due to a some reason or reasons then at some point of life the steam of inside comes out which is known as depression . As written early if the feelings etc locked inside will not be released then he or she starts all of sudden strange types of acts. These types of people need too much love and care. (I am of 75 years old and extremely suffered with depression. In nutshell the cure is hidden in “Fight or flight”. If flight will be chosen then forget to conquer. Thanks. ARJ
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