These Mangaluru youths feed chicken biryani to street dogs

MANGALURU: Four youths from Sankolige near Talapady have been preparing more than 100 plates of chicken biryani every day to feed street dogs during Covid-19 lockdown.
For the past 21 days, S Vinyas Kumar Shetty and his friends were busy cooking chicken biryani in the morning and serving it to dogs on the streets in a car starting from Talapady in the Karnataka border to Nethravati bridge near Mangaluru in the afternoon.Though initially they were spending money from their pockets, recently many donors have started supporting them.
Shetty, a professional fitness trainer in the city, told TOI that street dogs scarcely get food during lockdown since all restaurants and other food outlets are shut. “All of us are facing difficulties during lockdown. We are at least able to share our difficulties with the authorities concerned or friends. However, those dogs on the street have no other option but to live hungry. Hence, we decided to start distribution of food for them,” he said adding that his friends Nishal Poojary, Pavan Ganiga and Gagan Ganiga were also actively involved in cooking food and serving.
Vinyas, with the help of his friends, has been cooking biryani with 25kg of rice at his house in Sankolige every day. Many of his friends and well-wishers too have been extending support by offering rice and other items required for cooking. Owner of SK Caterers in Thokkottu has provided their delivery van and vessels to supply food since they have no business due to lockdown. Meanwhile, chicken stall of UP Aliyabba and Canara Chicken in Thokkottu provide chicken meat including legs and head to prepare biryani, he said.
“Every day, four of us start serving biryani to dogs from around 3pm. In the beginning, initially, I shared the idea of feeding street dogs with our friends through social media. Following this, many of my friends and well-wishers started supporting the cause. We start the distribution from Talapady and cover many roads at Someshwara, Uchila, Ullal, Deralakatte, Pilar, Madoor and Beeri. We feel happy seeing dogs wait for our vehicle and eat thankfully every day,” he added.