Manisha Koirala at Kukur Tihar: Compassion must extend to every street animal
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Actress Manisha Koirala, best known recently for her role in the streaming series 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar', has used a visit to Nepal to champion animal welfare, stating that compassion for other living beings should reach well beyond the walls of one's home.
The Kukur Tihar Celebration
On Sunday, Koirala shared a series of photographs on Instagram from a special animal welfare event she attended in Nepal. The pictures featured her alongside the First Lady of Nepal, Sabina Kafle, at a gathering centred around Kukur Tihar — a day in the Hindu festival calendar dedicated to honouring dogs.
In an extended caption accompanying the post, the actress wrote: 'Some occasions remind us of the simple things that make life beautiful. Kukur Tihar is one of them. I was delighted to be part of this lovely celebration initiated by our First Lady, Mrs. Sabina Kafle. It was a thoughtful way of bringing attention to the voiceless members of our society who give so much and ask for so little.'
Her Message on Animal Welfare
Koirala, a self-described animal lover, used the occasion to articulate a broader social message. 'As someone who has always believed in the special place animals hold in our lives, I feel that compassion should go beyond our homes and extend to every animal on our streets,' she wrote. She added: 'May we become a society that is kinder, more caring and more responsible towards all living beings. A lovely thought, and an even more meaningful message.'
The event, reportedly initiated by First Lady Sabina Kafle, was aimed at drawing public attention to stray and street animals who, as Koirala described, contribute silently to human life while receiving little in return. The actress's participation lends a prominent cultural voice to what advocates describe as a growing animal welfare movement in South Asia.
A Personal Moment: Father's 80th Birthday
Separately, a few days before the Nepal visit, Koirala also marked a personal milestone — her father's 80th birthday. Taking to Instagram, the actress shared a heartfelt tribute, calling him the healthiest and happiest she had ever seen him.
She revealed that her father had walked 3 km in the morning, completed 12,000 steps in a day, logged eight-and-a-half hours of sleep, and finished his morning exercises before his birthday brunch. 'Dad's 80th!!! I honestly don't think I've ever seen Dad healthier, happier or more full of life,' she wrote in the caption of her 'Dil Se' actress post.
Koirala's Public Voice Beyond Cinema
The actress, who made a widely discussed comeback with Heeramandi after her well-documented battle with ovarian cancer, has increasingly used her social media platforms for causes beyond the screen. Her Nepal visit underscores a consistent advocacy for empathy — both toward people and animals — that has defined her public persona in recent years. As conversations around urban stray animal welfare intensify across Indian and Nepali cities, voices like Koirala's are drawing fresh attention to the issue.