Blogs by Kumar Biswas: Feeders are true leaders

Feeding at midnight

COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all the seven continents of the world. Each nation is struggling, in their own way, to fight against the deadly disease. Corona prevention protocols have been adopted by human population in order to prevent the spread the infection. Vaccines have been developed by the scientists to control the pandemic. Meanwhile, the virus is undergoing mutation and attacking human with vengeance.

Feeding irrespective of rain or shine

People are wearing masks, some even using double masks while venturing outside. Hand-wash and sanitizer containers are flying off the shelves from the shops, like never before. Social distancing protocol is being considered as an ultimate weapon to rupture the chain of transmission of the lethal virus.

An array of strategies, ranging from Corona curfew to weekend lockdown to regional / state wise / national lockdown are being implemented to win over the latest invisible microscopic enemy of mankind. Non-essential businesses were suspended during lockdown period.

Feeding in deserted parks

People have been barred to cross over the Laxman Rekha of their homes unless it is emergency. Households have built a formidable inventory of ration and consumables to fight a war of different kind. Markets, shops, bar and restaurants, hotels have downed their shutters during such curfews and lockdowns.

Feeding in lonely streets

Blacky, Kalu, Lalu, Lisa, Lusi and for thousands of nameless street babies initially it was pure joy on traffic free streets. But the joy of trouble-free roaming on the road (without automobiles) soon got replaced by the pain of hunger of stomach. These Indies who merely survive on the throwaway scrap from roadside eateries and dhabas, were in dire straights. 'Stay at home' order for humans turned out to be 'starve on streets' for such less fortunate canines of streets. The leftovers from these restaurants and hotels, which they would scavenge for survival, were no longer available. They lost their main source of survival.

A helping hand for the hungry

Forget about food to eat, not even a drop of drinking water was available for many of them. The situation started in early Mar 2020 when the whole country went for first phase of lockdown. The lockdown was subsequently extended and lifted later. A year later, with the emergence of double muted version of the virus, the corona curfews and state wise lockdowns are still creating havoc for these street babies. They include stray dogs, moholla cats, ownerless cows and ox, donkeys, monkeys, horses, asses, birds etc, the list is endless.

Reports of starvation death for such voiceless creatures are pouring in from all over the country. Helpless hungry dogs eating their own poops, soils etc as their last resort to survive in this cruel world. Even then, many of them could not escape from the jaws of certain starvation and death. Finding of carcasses of the street dogs from different corners of the country became common with the progress of days.

Perturbed by the pathetic situation, some people decided to do something for them. Certainly, on this earth, there is also no dearth of good Samaritans. Several kind heart souls came forward to reduce the sufferings of these voiceless creatures. They continued to venture on the roads in the middle of pandemic induced lockdowns with dog-feed. Incidentally, animal lovers and activists who ventured outside for feeding the dogs of the locality, during lockdown period, faced a lot of objections from different corners.

In urban areas, in some housing societies, there was sharp division among residents - dog-feeder and animal haters. In many places it resulted into disturbing acrimonious situations. It ranged from abusing, physical assault to police cases. Each tried to interpret the restriction as per own convenience.

On 24 Mar, 2020 Hon’ble Maneka Gandhi (Member of Indian Parliament, animal rights activist, and environmentalist) tweeted "Any dog feeder can go to their district office in delhi and get a feeder pass. Please start today as only 50 passes are being given per district."

Inspiration for many

Animal Welfare Board of India was also kind enough to bring the act of feeding street dogs as an essential service.

This tweet from Maneka Gandhi emboldened the volunteers and gave some authority. Though the tweet was pertaining to capital Delhi, it had ripple effect all over the country. Dog feeders started contacting respective district head quarters for such kind of authorization to feed the hungry street dogs.

A sample Pass

Actions were seen on the ground. At several places, concerned authorities started issuing ‘Hotspot Feeding Passes’. Though it was grossly inadequate in terms of number of requests received from the volunteers, it was a game changers. Till such time, volunteers who were feeding dogs on the road would face objections from law and order implementing authorities. With this special hotspot passes they continued the voluntary task of feeding those unfortunate streeties.

People from all strata of society came forward for this noble cause. People with such soft-heart ranged from Chief Minister of a state to renowned celebrities to common men/women, spread across the nook and cranny of the country.

A 14-day Coronavirus lockdown in the state of Odisha was imposed effective 05 May, 2021 till 19 May, 2021. On 09 May, 2021, Naveen Patnaik, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Odisha sanctioned funds from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for feeding stray animals in all urban pockets during the lockdown.

The official announcement was -

"The lockdown is now underway across the state to control the pandemic. Therefore, stray dogs and cattle are deprived of food... The CM has approved sanction of Rs 60 lakh from his relief fund."

The daily amount earmarked for distribution through Municipal Corporations (Rs. 20,000 X 5), Municipalities (Rs. 5000 X 48) and NAC - Notified Area Council (Rs. 2000 X 61) are for feeding of stray dogs, cattle and birds as well.

However, since the administrative bodies may not have that kind of expertise or manpower to execute the work, it would ultimately rest on the shoulders of foot soldiers. The feeders would take the responsibility of ensuring that the feed reaches the mouths of those hungry creatures.

The size of the problem is gigantic in scale. Street dogs are suffering all over the country. There are several critical issues to feed them. Namely, the non-availability of volunteers in any particular locality zone or locality, lack of transport, fund crunch etc. However, there is a say ‘when there is will, there is a way’. This proverb was proved correct once again in this challenging time.

Dog lovers started networking through Whatsapp group. The existing Whatsapp groups are strengthen further with inclusion of more like minded persons. The demography of the groups is diverse. It ranged from housewives to office goers (working from home), college/University students and it is gender neutral. Every animal lover voluntarily shouldered the responsibility of feeding starving street dogs in their respective locality.

In some areas, where multi-storied residential complexes were sealed due to detected COVID-19 cases, volunteers from nearby areas would come in their own transport and carload of food for the street dogs. One dog feeder group would communicate and coordinate with other groups through whatsapp.

The feeding location would be some sort of battlefield. Every hungry dog would try to have his/her share first. Commotion and dogfight would ensued. But the volunteers were skilled and experienced enough to handle those situations. With loads of love and strict discipline they would ensure that everyone would get some bite, till the next feed was made available.

The present situation is far from normal. There is urgent need to have a strong network, pan India basis, with adequate cash flow for taking care of the street dogs. The efforts being made by the feeders are appreciated but it is necessary to strengthen it with both financial support and spreading awareness among people. If every family of a locality can spare a few rotis daily, it will be a life savior for many street dogs. We can not expect many families to go for feeding but they can provide the support in various forms. The feeding part will be taken care by the feeders but a network is needed to collect the rotis and rations from the willing households. The present process of individual contribution and fund raising is grossly inadequate, given the enormous size of the problem. Feeders will take the lead roles but an overall social awareness needs to be created for these street dogs. After all, at the end of the war of Mahabharata, when Yudhistir went to heaven, none but a faithful dog accompanied him all the way. This fight against COVID-19 is no less than epic war of Kurukshetra. Who knows that very street dog whom we would feed today, may be our guide in our journey to eternity.

********************

Disclaimer:

The information provided in the article is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith. This is only for the sharing of knowledge of Philately with philatelist fraternity. No commercial angle, whatsoever, is involved. Under no circumstances I shall have any liability for reliance on any information provided in the story.

This story was published in popular 'Buddy Life' Magazine (Volume 7, Issue 1, Oct - Dec 2021). Here are the related scanned pages:-