"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ― Mahatma Gandhi
And perhaps a nation that thoroughly obliges Gandhian principles would do just that. Earlier this week the Bhubneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) distributed food and water to stray animals across the city, in what is called a noble gesture for our voiceless friends.
This endeavour is carried out under the leadership of BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary to help stray animals across the cities who are suffering due to Global pandemic. During the 21-day lockdown imposed by National government millions of animals have hard time finding food as market, dhabas and restaurants are non-functional. Staffed with four persons from BMC and Fisheries and Animal Resource Development Department, these group of people aim to serve at least 1,500 bulls and over 40,000 stray dogs that the city has right now.
Earlier this month Naveen Sarkar led Odisha Government has sanctioned a benevolent sum of Rs 54 lakh to help this cause. The amount was retrieved from Chief Minister Relief Fund and was given to 5 municipal corporations and 48 municipalities to help stray animals.
So far BMC has been successful in providing food for 800 cows/bulls and over 8,000 stray dogs in the first day. For the second day, which is today, they have been successful in feeding 3 quintal of food. It seems like strays of Bhubneswar are being well fed.
As per the scheme follows the BMC municipality has been granted a sum of Rs 20,000 per day, while the urban local bodies of Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela and Sambalpur is granted Rs 10,000 daily for the said purpose
What’s more inspiring is that the civic body have come forward to formulate SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for this animal welfare Programme. The fisheries and Animal Resource Development Department is contributing a sum of Rs 3.6 lakh for food.
It seems like municipal bodies of Bhubneswar is fighting tooth and nail to curb Coronavirus. The Odisha Government is leaving no stones unturned and seems to be leading the race of overpowering the global pandemic.
For a burning spirit like this, I salute Odisha government.
Story by: Ankita Mohanty
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