3 animal rights activists from Navi Mumbai feliciated

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-08/mumbai/37560225_1_stray-animals-stray-dogs-animal-rights

MUMBAI: Three brave Navi Mumbai based women who are fighting for animal rights against all odds, were among those honoured with Women Achievers Awards at Powai on the eve of International Women's Day on Thursday.

The three activists - Aditi Lahiri, Roshni Majumdar and Rinki Banerji - were awarded for their animal welfare work in Navi Mumbai at the function organised by Young Environmentalists Programme Trust.

Lahiri has been helping stray animals in the satellite city for over 10 years despite suffering from cancer, while Majumdar is a young MBA student who was beaten up and molested by local goons in Sanpada for feeding an injured stray dog last year.

Rinki Banerji was recently assaulted by a mob of animal-haters in New Panvel where she had gone to protect the stray dogs.

Some of the other awardees at the event were theatre personality Dolly Thakore, actor and TV host Sophia Hayat, activist Abha Singh, disabled yet successful working woman Preeti Sagotra, author Kiran Manral, classical musician Sunita Bhuyan, lawyer Rita Abraham, social service person Dr Mithu Alur and Miss Universe contestant Shilpa Singh among others.

Talking to TOI, Majumdar said: "In June last year, six youngsters had attacked me and my cousin in Sanpada just because I used to feed a disabled stray dog. I got these goons arrested, but unfortunately, a false police complaint was also lodged against my cousin to harass us further."

Organiser Elsie Gabriel of YEPT added: "Along with Mazumdar, even Banerji is very brave to fight back an angry mob in New Panvel for the rights of animals. Hats off to all the three ladies."

In all, 23 women from different social spheres and activities were honoured at Rodas ecotel in Powai.

"It is tough to fight for stray dogs and cats, as many housing societies are openly hostile towards animals, and even poison them to death. We need proper animal centres to do effective sterilisations of the strays. However, compassion must be shown by all individuals towards the mute animals," added Lahiri.

Uncle had sexually abused me: Sophia Hayat

The glamorous actress and TV show host, Sophia Hayat, revealed her dark and disturbing past about child sex abuse. When I was only 10, my uncle had sexually abused me. I want to tell everyone that behind this glamour doll image of mine lurks a disturbed childhood,'' said Sophia at the function in Powai.

She later told TOI, Through my story, I want to reach out to all the young girls who may be in a similar situation; in order to help them fight back against such horrid sex pests and assaulters.''

Sophia also mentioned that this childhood incident of hers did affect her in many ways, but now she is happy to have come out of it in a positive way to contribute to the society, especially other minor girls, who can also be in a vulnerable situation.

Daniel Chatterton of Green-team Rodas, commented: It is wonderful to welcome achievers who inspire. By sharing their success more women will reach for the stars." The theme of the event was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy: 'Be the change that you would like to see'.

Court clears duo arrested, humiliated for feeding dogs

Two animal lovers from Thane, who were arrested and humiliated two years ago after a stray dog they used to feed allegedly bit a resident, have finally been acquitted, with a magistrate court ruling that feeding strays was not a crime.

The order provides welcome relief for animal lovers in the city, many of whom are pulled up by their housing societies for taking care of strays. Only recently, well-known director Partho Ghosh had a quarrel with his society management when he was fined Rs 1000 in his maintenance bill for feeding two stray dogs. His family, incidentally, had been taking care of them since they were pups.

This order is only the first victory for Sanjeev Dighe and Yatin Mhatre, who are fighting a separate case in High Court against the State and the police for handcuffing them and parading them around their society. In this, they are being represented by Mahesh Jethmalani and have the backing of, among others, Maneka Gandhi.

For Dighe, a commercial artist, and Mhatre - both residents of Lok Puram complex in Thane - the nightmare started on September 20, 2009. The duo had been feeding strays in their locality for several years, something that had led to many altercations with society members. Dighe says the residents believed this would lead to an increase in the stray dog population in the area.

That night, Dighe was getting ready to go out and feed the strays around 10.45 pm when a posse of cops arrived in a private vehicle and asked him to accompany them to Vartak Nagar Police Station. Mhatre accompanied him there, and a few hours later, the duo were booked under Section 289 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with animals in a particular person's care attacking someone.

The next morning, both were handcuffed and taken to their society, where they were paraded around, ostensibly to show other residents what happened to people who fed strays. They were then taken to a holiday court, which released them on bail.

In a recent order, Jaishree Poonawala, judicial magistrate first class, remarked that "feeding stray dogs is not a crime", adding that strays were not the same as pets and certainly not the sole responsibility of those who feed them.

"After our arrest, Maneka Gandhi personally got involved and helped us file the petition in HC through Mahesh Jethmalani," said Dighe. This order itself has come as a huge relief to Mhatre and Dighe. "Finally justice has prevailed. Several people like me are often victimised by residents who do not like others feeding strays. We hope this order will help others like us," said Dighe.

Ajay Marathe, a noted animal rights activist, pointed out that incidents of animal lovers being victimised were common in Mumbai. "Those who feed dogs in their area are treated badly. Most residents are against such feeding and come up with random rules to stop them," said Marathe.

RK Joshi, convener of Committee to Monitor Animal Welfare Laws in Maharashtra, has recently written to the BMC commissioner highlighting the issue of societies trying to get rid of stray dogs.

He has pointed out that years after Bombay High Court laid down the guidelines for dealing with stray dogs - the HC has put an emphasis on animal birth control and sterilisation - people continued to harass dogs and animal lovers.

"There is growing tendency in housing societies not to permit stray dogs on the society premises or even in the vicinity. There have been instances when dogs are brutally assaulted by the society members or the watchmen," the letter states, adding that instances of animal lovers being assaulted were common. The letter urges the commissioner, who is also the chairman of the Monitoring Committee, to urgently look at these issues and ensure that animal lovers and dogs were not harassed.

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