ARINDAM GANGULY, OP
BHUBANESWAR: We come across these mute creatures. They are unwanted, harmless and stray. No one ever cared to rescue them or help them out. But there was this group which tried to give vent to their voice: Animal Welfare Trust Ekamra. Animal lovers, who congregated at a hotel in city Sunday morning, discussed modalities of rescuing stray animals in distress, adopting or helping them. Animal Welfare Trust Ekamra founder Purabi Patra emphasised the seriousness of the issue: Protecting and rescuing stray animals. “Stray animals are part of nature we can’t ignore according
to our own preferences. People desert pet animals when they grow old like junk furniture. We’ve planned the workshop to reiterate how to care about stray animals when they’re incapacitated due to an injury. We urge all to adopt stray animals because adoption is better than buying.’’ Guest talks on animal rights and documentary films on stray animal life and the treatment meted out to such creatures at the shelter homes were showcased at the event. Often people who identify themselves as animal lovers want to adopt a tiny animal like a pup and when it grows old, they just leave it. This is no way less than cruelty to animals,
suggested Purabi. Commenting on sympathy arousing adjectives like “cute” or “poor soul” won’t help free animals from their
misery. “You’ve to open your heart and doors if you want to see them happy…In our shelter; we have rescued around 1000 animals from various
parts of the Capital city.” “Recently, the trust has started an initiative, ‘Illuminating Lives’, in an effort to bring animals to light from darkness so that road mishaps can drastically be reduced,” stated Purabi, adding, “Due to poor visibility at night, it is extremely difficult to spot animals especially from a certain distance. Spotting the animal when it’s too close may result in sudden braking leading to road accidents. Such accidents not only harm animals but also injure people involved apart from causing property loss.” Designer Tanuja Sethi, who was part of the congregation, exhibited some painted animalthemed goodies for animal lovers. A comedy show also ensued. Sandeep Mohapatra, an animal enthusiast, said animals like human beings have rights, but have no voice despite the presence of several Acts protecting the rights of such animals.
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