Despite facing backlash from the people of their society and sometimes even the police, they continue to do this because of their love for these social animals. Nitasha Shivaramani mentioned, “I would request them not to harm these innocent animals if they are not willing to help them. They have protected our properties and us since the start of the evolution of the human race. “I wish people would understand how important these animals are to us.” Further, she said, “Street dogs have a right to food, and as humans, it is also within our constitutional rights to provide them with it.” When the once-bustling streets of Viman Nagar became barren, Nitasha and Vikas Shivaramani started to look out for the street animals. When the pandemic struck, the street dogs who depended on humans for food suffered too. Worried about how they would survive without help, the couple decided to feed them on a daily basis. What started in the March of 2020 with a handful of dogs in their society has now grown to over 140 stomachs they are filling today on a daily basis. “During the pandemic, we started to see more dogs and less humans. Every day we thought just a little further, this street also. Before we knew it, we started to provide food for most dogs in our area,” said Nitasha Shivaramani. They cover a vast area from the airport road, the entirety of Sakore Nagar, all the way to the street beyond the Phoenix Mall. With the help of other animal lovers and those wishing to help through volunteering and donations, they give out food, including 600-700 kgs of rice and 100-110 kg of chicken every month. The chicken and rice are cooked in chicken broth with turmeric, which is the only animal-safe spice. Well-wishers, volunteers, and even owners of shops who are animal lovers often donate these ingredients. Often a dog walker or feeder is hired to cook the food and distribute it among these street dogs once every day.
25 Feb 2022
Keerthana Unni
