Are you doing your bit to save animals?

KANPUR: Since past 24 years, the Baithiya couple (Kiran and Gun Sundari Baithiya, 58) have been feeding the stray dogs and cows every morning, outside their apartments. Needless to say, to these animals, the Baithiya's are the `saviours'. Perhaps, this selfless service by the couple is inevitable.
For the better part, each animal enjoys a different food.For instance, the dogs rely on `rotis', cows on `lumps of jaggery', monkeys on `bread' and ants on the `flour'. Delighted to serve the animals, Sundari said: "For weaker dogs and puppies, we keep a bowl of milk. We do it everyday before going for on the morning walk." Not only this, the apartment window plays a perfect host to many peacocks and birds who keep coming in search of food.
And the canines have their way of expressing their love. Their bond with the Baithiya family has grown deep over the years. Whenever they see any of their family member, their tails automatically wags in excitement. "Many of them follow us all way long during our walk even if we have nothing to feed them. It gives a feeling of security," said Kiran.
Besides her indiscriminate feeding, Kiran also helps the ailing animals that includes horse, cows and dogs. She makes sure that these stray animals turn healthy once they leave her household. Sample this. Two years back, she found an injured horse. Kiran couldn't stop herself and so treated it. "It is because of her service that many times, these animals have hurt her," laughs Cheena, Kiran's daughter.
Belying the religious myth, "feed the animals to earn good deeds'', this 60-year-old man, Rajkumar believes that feeding the animals suffice him. So every morning, before serving the food to his family members, he shares food with the animals. Now, isn't that generous?
In a similar patter, Pawan Goenka of Navsheel apartments (same place where the Baithiya's live) too has been into the habit of feeding the stray animals. Inspired by the Baithiya's, other families in the apartment have also come up to support the animals.
A resident of Civil Lines, SR Jain is yet another example of carrying this selfless service towards the stray animals. In a rare activity, he has been feeding the monkeys since past 40 years. "They have never harmed me. In fact, they don't harm anyone, it's just a bond of unspoken words and understanding that has developed between us and so as long as they see me, they hover around me waiting for their turns," exclaimed Jain.
Similarly, it's a routine affair for Satish, a resident of KDA colony to feed the birds at Masscare Ghat every evening with `Namkeen'. However, he has no reason behind such an act. All he could say: "It's encouraging to know that at least few people care."
For many injured birds and squirrels, Fredy Barlo's home is a haven. "I have looked after many birds who accidentally got injured or were brought injured to me. I have developed a great bond with them and I love spending time with them. It gives me immense pleasure in feeding them sprouts and extend my care to them," said sympathetic Barlo.
Even the NGOs are not behind. Meeta Choudhary, a member of an NGO helping the stray, said: "Such acts by few socially conscious people encourage us. It helps creating awareness regarding the need to save the wandering animals." Meeta suggests that adoption of these animals can be a leap effort in the welfare of these animals.