Rescue rangers

Minna Zutshi

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They all are from different walks of life. Some are psychologists, others entrepreneurs and scientists too. What brings them together and bonds them is their compassion for the voiceless animals.

Lost mutts, famished monkeys, wounded horses and injured cattle – all find enthusiastic ‘saviours’ in them. And vets and animal behaviour experts laud them for keeping the aggressive tendencies of the animals in check. Hungry and thirsty, the animals often get aggressive, say the experts.

A bagful of goodies

Before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana used to have a steady stream of morning walkers. Abuzz with life throughout the day – only the sundown would see a lull in activity. Community dogs invariably managed to find ‘something to quell their hunger’. They could also spot clean, fresh water kept in earthen bowls, thanks to the efforts of some do-gooders. But as the lockdown has extended to longer period, the community dogs have been left to fend for themselves. Bereft of food and water – their very survival has become difficult. This observation prompted a young couple, Dr Manisha Gangwar and her husband Dr JP Singh, to take up the task of feeding these dogs. Dr Manisha is a psychologist, while Dr JP Singh is professor at the College of Agricultural Engineering in Punjab Agricultural University.

Every morning at 7 am, Dr Manisha and Dr Singh come with their bagful of goodies (biscuits, milk and bread) to feed the community dogs, who, with their wagging tails and friendly bark, welcome them. “You cannot just leave the food and go away. You have to ensure that all dogs get their share. Otherwise, the stronger ones frighten away the small and the weak dogs and gobble up the entire food. You have to work out a judicious distribution of food,” says Dr Manisha.

The couple feeds 20-25 community dogs in different locations at the university every day. When the dogs are through with their ‘breakfast’, crows come calling to feed on the leftovers!

Helping hands

Handling the human resources of a hosiery industry in the industrial hub of Ludhiana and working for the welfare of sick and famished animals – these two may seem altogether different and unrelated activities. But Ludhiana-based Gita Lakra from Superfine Knitters Ltd finds a ‘connection’ between the two.

“To lead a materially satisfying life, you need to put real hard work in whatever you do. But if you want to be happy and content, you cannot divorce service and charity from your life. As a Dhyan Foundation volunteer, I follow the twin principles of service and charity advocated by Yogi Ashwini,” she says.

Her morning routine includes feeding birds, dogs and cattle and lending a ‘helping hand’ to the sick and injured animals. “All volunteers of our foundation – right from globe-trotting businessmen to the busy millennials and the teenaged brigade – are ready to chip in whenever and wherever required. This is irrespective of religion, caste, creed or even socio-economic status,” says Gita.

“We, volunteers, pool money and despite all the financial hardship brought in by COVID-19 pandemic, we try our best to do our bit for the weak and the voiceless,” she signs off.