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FIFTH
MAHAVEER AWARDS – 1999 |
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| 1.
MRS. MANEKA GANDHI |
Notwithstanding
the strict injunctions, against exploitation of the
weak by the physically strong, by almost all the world
religions, humanity has been exploiting animals and
birds for satisfying their own needs and desires, be
it for food or for enjoyment, taking the form of hunting
of animals or taking part in nauseating events such
as bull fighting or bull baiting. In fact even killing
of animals for food is rarely done with mercy or consideration;
the animals are tortured and allowed to die slowly and
painfully. Even the so called domestic pets such as
the loyal dogs are rarely taken good care of. In most
of the cases, they are at best tolerated for their use
in guarding one's person or property. |
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BMF
Awards |
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It
is in this context, that the role played by Mrs.Maneka
Gandhi assumes greater significance. She is one of those rare
people who have real empathy for all God's living creatures
specially those which cannot protect themselves against the
villainy of what is euphemistically known as the superior
race. For over two decades now, Mrs.Gandhi has played a dynamic
role in designing and implementing measures for the protection
of animals, birds and other living creatures such as reptiles.
Be it a hospital for taking exclusive care of birds, or a
Ghousala or a Pinjarapol or a Kennel for the dogs, she is
finding ways of improving their structuring and contents with
an eye on the ultimate beneficiary. Over this period she has
been carrying on a running fight with official bodies seeking
greater consideration in sterilising stray animals and in
destroying rabid ones. She has found a home for a large number
of unwanted pets and is helping in building hospitals and
animal sanctuaries to take care of animals at places where
none exist so far. She has agitated valiantly against cruel
practices amounting to torture of animals and birds. She has
exploded a large number of myths such as the one that states
that snakes possess nagamani. Her large number of books and
her T.V. shows focusin | |
