2024-03-19 10:11:20
Meera Jain
Recently I visited an animal rescue and rehabilitation center where elephants, tigers, birds, snakes and many other creatures are being cared for by conservation workers from around the world. This is a work which reflects our sensitivity. It is a reflection of our human aspect. Ratan Tata has also built a state-of-the-art hospital for small animals, which is an excellent use of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). Directors of Tata Group companies should follow this. They should give more money under CSR for animal welfare. I am sure Ratan Tata will also agree to this proposal.
The work that Anant Ambani is also doing for animal welfare is commendable. In his own words, ‘This is an attempt to heal the wound given to the environment.’ Anant’s father Mukesh Ambani proudly told us about this – He (Anant) has turned Charles Darwin’s ‘Survival of the fittest’ theory on its head and transformed it into ‘Protection of the weakest’.
In fact, every year one lakh crore creatures disappear from the earth. The existence of 20 lakh creatures is about to end today. The lives of 15 crore animals are being taken in the name of hunting and trophy hunting and there is not even a wrinkle on anyone’s forehead. At the same time, 1.5 lakh animals are being killed every minute. This insensitivity is shocking. The killing of living beings is being presented in such a way that people have consumed 36 crore tonnes of meat. This insensitivity must end.
No one can compete with humans in killing other living beings. But sensitive people and our earth are paying the price for this. Humanity should protect other living beings. After all, the earth is our home, so these living beings also reside here. When we say ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ it implies that this earth belongs to all the living beings living on it.
If we are not able to protect living beings then what will be the meaning of human progress? And is it enough to measure this progress by GDP or per capita growth rate? Are these standards real or just an illusion? If attention is paid to the protection of living beings through CSR schemes, it will be a unique initiative. Without creatures, not only would the magic of human life diminish but it would also be difficult to sustain economically.