The Stray Dog Problem of Kerala and it's immature handling

I am really fond of Animals and believe that animals needs to be treated with respect. Be it livestock or otherwise. There is growing unrest after a number of people were attacked by dogs in Kerala. People are going to extreme measures like culling and massacre of dogs, Which I feel is very immature and uncalled for. Everybody wants a hasty remedy for the stray dog menace. It is disturbing to see educated people like Kochaouseph Chitilappally of V-guard and Veegaland promoting violence against animals. 

The tolerance point for me was when a group of school students in Kochi was made to take a pledge which encouraged the culling of strays. A message wrong on many different levels, It is equal to telling/reassuring a child that hurting animals is fine. I would want my children to learn compassion at school and not violence. I feel immense hatred towards the school authorities who allowed ignorant people like Jose K Maveli to speak to the children on the issue.  Children should decide for themselves how they want to treat animals. Let them come to their conclusions on the subject when they grow up. 

We have had countless discussions in our bachelor flat on the topic, as usual me on the side of finding a humane and viable solution and them on the other side that killing is the only solution. My points were the following, 

• It is important to have the maturity to understand that the stray dog issue is not a standalone problem that Kerala faces. The number of stray dogs have increased proportionally with poor waste management strategies.  
• Kerala needs to immediately address and come up with better waste management solutions before we can talk on the stray dog issue. 
• I agree that there are vicious dogs, which is a minority again. Dogs are animals that are dependent on human beings. Instead of killing the vicious dogs, all dogs are being killed in Kerala. It is equivalent as killing all people in a place just because one person has committed a crime.
• I suggest we go towards more humane solutions rather than mass culling of animals. It poorly reflects on us and sets out a bad example for the generations to come. Sterilization and widespread awareness of programs like ABC(Animal Birth Control) by government would go a long way. 
• More adoption drives and fund raising activities towards rehabilitation of animals.

I also questioned the genuineness of Chitilappally on the issue, which they couldn't digest. Chitilappally to them is a saint, and it is wrong to criticize him unless I myself has donated a Kidney( Which I then have to report to all news dailies ). The really sad part is the mentality that culling of dogs is fine, not a big deal. 

The points they have raised and my replies are as follows, 

• What if you had lost a dear one ? Would you still support the stray dog menace ?

Gladly I haven't and I have never seen such dogs in my area. This might sound immature to you but I definitely don't feel an eye for an eye does any good in the world. 

• Dogs have bitten children while inside their homes. 

It is really unfortunate that this has happened. There is no justifying this. Still it was children who were left unattended that were attacked by dogs. Parents do have to be more responsible.

• If you like dogs then why don't you adopt one ? 

I already have a dog at home and at present me not being home, I don't want my parents to look after another dog just because I want them to. Once I am back home I am considering adopting one from Street dog watch Trivandrum. However I have made small contributions to groups like People for Animals Trivandrum who have been working towards betterment and rehabilitation of animals. Something that I can do as of now. 

• If Killing of Animals is not right ? Why do you eat meat ?

The animals I eat are livestock, they are animals raised for our food needs. They are not like dogs. Dogs are not raised for food at least in India. However my take on livestock is that the way these animals are treated also has to change. These animals also have to be treated with more space. I have read somewhere that it is illegal in India even to kill an animal in view of other animals. But government doesn't have people to check if these animal regulations are in place for livestock. 

• If you can kill mosquitoes you can kill dogs too. 

This is baseless. Mosquitoes do no good to the world or us. 

Coming back to topic, I happened to see a documentary by Asianet News today, which talks in detail of these issues. This could easily be one of the best TV programs made on the issue with an open mind. 

  Street Dog lovers | Anweshanam 26 Oct 2016

I really wish that people and government takes inspiration from the video and work towards a humane solution to the problem. Let us not heed to people who propose for hasty solutions.  We all share this world and their lives are as important. 

Who better than Leonardo DiCaprio - 'Before the Flood' !

   Before the Flood Documentary

More than a documentary, 'Before the Flood' is a message to the world from Leonardo Dicaprio. A message that if we don't act now, we are doomed before we know it. Before the Flood is Leo's journey around the globe in the past two years and the shocking revelations that he came across.

The documentary is very bold and there are some very strong allegations and criticism made against corporations and politicians in the US. Even Barack Obama is not spared. Leo takes a lot of criticism heads on as well, like the conversation with Sunita Narain, who heavily criticized US and it's lifestyle for global warming. There are also bits and parts of media clippings that criticize UN for selecting him as an ambassador.

A few scenes from the documentary

The positive note about the documentary is that it doesn't stop at highlighting global warming issues, it goes a step ahead and provides solutions. Solutions that are viable. Loved the Elon Musk entry and him suggesting that 100 Tesla model Giga factories would solve the energy issues with the world.

Media and some might call him and 'Before the Flood' a publicity stunt. Stunt or not, Leo has done something very few people have done. He is doing his part and creating awareness. This documentary again is not about Leonardo Dicaprio, it is about each and everyone of us. How we can make a contribution even if small to decrease global warming. 20-25 years from now when it's too late, there will be Leo with a wry smile on his face that reads 'I told ya losers'. Let us hope we doesn't get to that point. 

Don't Demand Respect ! Earn it

What is respect ?. This is what Google defines respect as

a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. 

As a child growing up, I was always told to respect elders. Respect your seniors at school, relatives, and basically anyone born a nano second older than you. This is embedded into every child by parents and relatives. No matter how rude/insensitive someone is, you still have to respect them for they were born elder than you and has more life experience than you. 

Now that I am older and have seen quite a bit of life and people, this forced outlook has changed. Respect is something you earn when you interact with people and doesn't depend on who and what you are. If you read the definition again, you will notice that there is no 'age' criteria there. It is something you earn because of your qualities, the way you interact with people more than your abilities and achievements. 

I have seen two types of respect in people, respect for the sake of respect and the genuine respect. 'Respect for the sake of respect' is the kind of respect you give to people because it is the 'right' thing to do. The other one comes from within, it is genuine and priceless. The way they talk and behaves around you shows it. 

There are people who think they deserve respect because they have done something for you, Be thankful and respectful for that. The point they quote ' I have done so much for you and you should listen to me ' is the point they lose it. They are doing nothing but making you forever in debt to them, just because they helped you. This is not how respect works people !. The choices you make in life are your own, their consequences too.   

You respect everyone you meet new in your life, the way they treat you decides whether respect takes the ladder or takes the plunge. Anyone can earn your respect, a random smile, a random act of kindness. Respect doesn't discriminate, neither rich nor poor, and definitely not racist. Respect should be earned, Not something to be demanded. Treat people right and respect comes to you. 

p.s: Author doesn't claim responsibility for your deeds here after. :)  

The Price of Shame - Ted Talk on Cyber Bullying and Online Shaming

I have recently made a new habit of watching Ted videos everyday on YouTube, Today I came across a Ted Talk by Monica Lewinsky on ' The Price of Shame'. I have to agree that this is one of the best Ted Talks I've seen and highlights a very serious issue of social embarrassment.

  The Price of Shame

This is something I've given a lot of thought to, Online shaming is a very serious and unjust form of bullying and it's really brave of Monica to step out and talk of it. More power to you Monica.

Here is the full script of Monica's Ted Talk.

Kony 2012: A boon or a curse ?

Ever heard the name ' Joseph Kony ' ?, It was after watching 'Machine Gun Preacher' that i came to know about this deadly Rebel leader of Sudan. It has been 25 long years since the civil war began in Sudan, Ever since Kony and his men known as the LRA(Lord's rebel army) has been killing, torturing, and making children slaves and soldiers. 


 Today i happened to watch the 'Oprah Winfrey' show and came across three people who started the 'Invisible Children' a non-profit organization that aims at collecting funds to build schools and rehabilitation centers for children in Uganda. Even though there have been issues that the money isn't spend entirely on charity, am happy that atleast an effort is being made. Hope this 'Kony 2012' campaign doesn't bring any negative fame to Joseph Kony and LRA, who now is less active in the country. I just wanted you all to know who this dreaded criminal is and to pray for all the needy kids in Uganda, not out of sympathy but as a friend / well wisher.

 Kony 2012 : The Documentary

This movement known as the 'Kony 2012' could bring negative fame for Joseph Kony and Nations worldwide could force their troops to hunt him down, Which might make Kony become more active in Sudan as he would want more soldiers in his LRA army. This could lead him to make more child abductions to add to the strength of his LRA army. If the US troops land on Sudanese soil on a hunt for Joseph Kony, we might happen to see another Iraq or an Afghanistan. I learned from a few news websites that the LRA activities in Sudan have reduced over the past years and one could only hope this campaign doesn't bring anything bad again to the children and people of Sudan.

Let God almighty bless the people of Sudan and let peace prevail.