Monalisa Patsani
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: Many animals roam the streets of our cities and birds of many feathers live amid us in the nooks and crannies of concrete jungles. But how many of us bother to devote time to do something for these animals? Obviously, only a few.
Shivaprasad Sethy ranks among these few, and street dogs and pigeons near AG Square would have vouched for it could they speak our language. Each day, though, they express their gratitude for his compassion with trust, feeding on biscuits, peanuts, roasted peas and gram right from his palm.
Shivaprasad had started off feeding dogs on the street. For the past couple of months he has also taken to feeding pigeons. “It gives me immense pleasure when I feed pigeons. When they perch on my hand and eat whatever I bring, I feel happy. I have developed a special relationship with them,” he said.
The 48-year-old, who works as a waiter in a city-based club, says he was inspired by an old vendor in the city. “I often used to feed dogs near my house and at my workplace. I started by feeding biscuits to four dogs; gradually the number increased. Then I saw an old man near my workplace who used to sit under a tree and feed pigeons with peanuts, biscuits and other such feed. It inspired me.”
Everyday Shivaprasad spends about Rs 30-40 to feed the animals. “When I started feeding these birds only five or six would come; gradually their number increased and now more than 100 pigeons come to me as soon as they see me coming,” he says.
The act of sharing Shivaprasad has made a habit of yields emotional dividends. “Animals can feel love and compassion. I didn’t have any connection with them but today they recognise me and that gives me happiness.”
Shivaprasad is a father of two and says his family is unaware of his habit. “Nobody in my family knows I am doing this. I do it as it gives me satisfactions and happiness. I am not bothered about what people think. They are now part of me and I will continue doing this.”
