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Ruchira profiles a Kolkata youth who is kind and caring towards stray dogs – exclusively for Different Truths.
As a quiet, sensitive teenager, Prabha Mitra had been a mute witness to a gruesome scene. A group of local urchins had beaten a mongrel to death for loitering around looking for food. Shocked beyond measure, he decided to look after all the stray dogs in his locality to prevent such ghastly deaths and other forms of cruelty meted out to the hapless creatures.
Following that life-changing incident, he made it a point to feed the strays on his responsibility so they wouldn’t litter the surroundings. This way, they would indirectly escape people’s wrath. He began to channel whatever pocket money his parents would give him to procure food for the strays, which infested the lanes and alleys near his home in Tangra, north Kolkata.
When cash would run low, he would cajole his mother to dish up simple healthy and wholesome food for his furry friends. And sure enough, his mother always complied. Cut to the present. The teenager in question, Mitra, is now a blooming young man of 30-something who teaches math in one of Kolkata’s numerous coaching centres.
However, animal care remains the prime focus of his life.
However, animal care remains the prime focus of his life. His lone crusade for animals continues full throttle. Being an only child and hailing from a well-to-do family, he is at liberty to spend all his earnings the way he wants to. That gives him leeway to spend it on the strays.
Food and nutrition are not the only issues. Over the years, the youth has maintained a regular stead liaison with Ashari –PFA (People for Animals) dog-shelter-cum-hospital, a premier NGO located in Mukundapur, east Kolkata.
When he notices any of the ‘shaggy’ looking unwell, he gathers it up and dashes to Ashari. (Incidentally, auto-rickshaw fares go from his pocket). After direct aid, the dog is discharged. It is retained for further treatment in case of complications or severe ailment.
Mitra also concerns himself with holistic health care and the well-being of the dogs.
Mitra also concerns himself with holistic health care and the well-being of the dogs. He says, “from time to time or when required, I ensure that they visit the centre for checkup, vaccination, deworming, sterilisation, etc.” He adds, “Sterilisation is vital, else the prolific breeding of these creatures will be unstoppable.”
He reveals he has to buy essential drugs in case the Centre doesn’t have these. Since he is so fond of dogs, are there pet ones at home? I enquire. To this, Mitra replies, “No, I don’t. For the simple reason that my mom is a stickler for cleanliness. And she thoroughly disapproves of furs flying all over the place, muddy/dirty paws on sofas and beds, tackling pee-poop issues and such. So, my friends/kids are best kept out of doors,” he grins.
Mitra was slightly disappointed when his parents recently relocated to Kolkata’s upscale New Town neighbourhood. “There are fewer stray dogs here,” he rues.
He is rendering his voluntary welfare services to the new crowd as well.
Nevertheless, he has already managed to foster friendly ties with the few that reside here. He is rendering his voluntary welfare services to the new crowd as well. Says a proud mother, Sudipa, “My son has largely been a loner. I didn’t realise he was so kind-hearted and compassionate until I saw him lavishing his affection on those poor creatures. In this big bad world, I feel it’s better to have animals as companions; at least, they will never be ungrateful like humans.”
Mitra candidly explains when asked what his dedication to abandoned animals has given him: “What I do is out of pure unadulterated love for these mute, speechless, humble living beings (abala prani). But I can deeply sense their unalloyed affection by the look in their eyes, vigorous wag of tails. For me, this is the greatest treasure of all.”
Photos sourced by the author.
