The BDB Foundation,which is celebrating its Foundation Day on August 7 by felicitating animal welfare organisations,believes that ignorance is the cause of rampant cruelty towards animals The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. These priceless words uttered by Mahatma Gandhi have been quoted and re-quoted by animal welfare activists and organisations the world over. And,the BDB Foundation,a city-based registered charitable trust,uses this very line to sensitise,educate and bring to our attention the plight of animals. It seeks to break those boundaries of fear and ignorance that separate the four-legged creatures from the care of human beings,and it quietly hopes for a world where animals are not cruelly slaughtered,where strays are not poisoned and pelted with stones,and where leopards,tigers,black bucks are not viciously hunted for pleasure. It is with this aim in mind that the BDB Foundation,a charitable trust of the Business Development Bureau (India) Private Limited,was set up in 2000, says R V Krishnan,founder and managing trustee. It is the social responsibility of the corporate sector to invest time,effort and resources into bettering the society we live in. Most corporate houses choose to work for human beings while animals are left in the cold. Thus we opted to take up their cause. The plight of animals is pathetic. They are mercilessly being killed - whether it's a leopard that accidentally strays into a village or then chickens,pigs,cows and bulls that are raised to be slaughtered, he says. Krishnan once cut the ropes that bound a donkey's legs together. There are people who would like to do the same but they're scared the animal will kick and hurt them. Our goal is to educate people that animals need our help,and we should unhesitatingly provide aid in whatever way we can, he appeals. The course that the BDB Foundation adopted 10 years ago and is still treading on is that of spreading awareness. The root of the problem is not in a deliberate attempt to hurt,but it lies in the total and utter ignorance towards this cause. We have been working towards educating and enlightening people about the importance of kindness towards animals. It's the most cost-effective way of nipping the problem in its bud,even better than the law, he explains. So,every year,this trust celebrates its Foundation Day on August 7 by adopting a tagline. Last year it was 'Diwali Dhamaka without Phataka' so that people realise that animals live in dread of crackers. There are kids who actually tie crackers to the tails of dogs. It's cruel to do this, stresses Krishnan,who,through the Foundation,spreads messages via cartoons,websites and print ads. This year,the Foundation is encouraging the adoption of stray dogs through its event 'Be My Friend' at the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Auditorium in Koregaon Park. On August 7,different animal welfare activists and organisations will come together and we will felicitate them. This is also a way of helping them network with each other, Krishnan adds. About stray dogs,he says,Everyone should take on the responsibility of spaying them. Also we should adopt one whenever we can. They're no different from breeds. Another interesting and effective manner in which they strive to make a difference is by raising funds. Whenever an organisation needs equipments for its shelter or any other kind of help,we approach our business clients who readily donate for the same, Krishnan says. The BDB Foundation is also the first to come out with a directory of all animal organisations in the city. It is Pune-centric and if you ever see an animal that's hurt,you can refer to the directory copy or visit our website (thebdbfoundation.org) to call the apt animal organisation, he says. The Foundation constantly researches about the problems faced by animals,and it hopes to soon go national. Hopefully the government will support us. See,every developed nation is kind to its animals,whereas the under-developed ones treat their animals badly. Thus,it's up to us do we want to progress or regress? he questions.
