Culture & Celebrity

Japan's Princess Takamado and Miss India-World, Sindhura Gadde are lending their celebrity status to help protect threatened bird populations. Miss Gadde recently served as special guest at the third annual "Wings of Love" charity event in Tokyo. The 2005 pageant winner has a powerful message for those that may not share her concern about avian populations; "Birds are the barometers. Deforestation, water pollution and global warming are a few of the environmental issues demanding immediate and universal attention." Also participating in the event was jewelry designer Kazuo Ogawa, who said of his "Wings of Love" inspired collection; "In all cultures and civilizations, birds have always been significant in mythology and philosophy, literature and poetry, dance and music, art and crafts, fashion and jewelry." The event, which is supported by musicians, dancers, and fashion designers of both India and Japan, is held to raise funds for BirdLife International, the conservation organization for which Princess Takamado serves as the honorary president. From The Japan Times.