Too ‘Animal’ , or not to ‘Animal’; that…

Gauri Maulekhi is passionate about animal rights. Major Amit Salathia is a ‘Shaurya Chakra’ and is equally passionate about soldiering. Before I tell you about what happened and the narrative, lets discuss the difference between a ‘debate’ and a ‘discussion’. In a debate, people usually choose opposite ends and defend their view point, in an attempt to win. Usually even a ‘debatable’ topic has enough meat on both ends, hence the debate. In a discussion, people are open to newer view points and hence both sides have a chance of ‘winning’.

The debate started over Gauri addressing the use of a certain kind of snake for training commandos. Amit explained why it is done and how it is important for commandos to learn to survive in adverse and wild conditions. Gauri explained further how certain species are dying and have to be saved. Amit replied by citing examples from his own experience on surviving for days without civilized food. Both were right (like in debates). Both are passionate.

The debate and we took a break when tea arrived and Gauri got a call on her mobile. By this time they had already spent about 15 minutes on the agenda and this break in proceedings was welcome to everybody else in the audience, including the staff of my office. By this time (I think) both of them had also realized that it wasn’t going anywhere. I could judge that by the “this person is impossible” look each gave me. They both were.

Out of sheer courtesy (I guess) and out of exhaustion, they both fell silent and started sipping the strong brew. Once the caffeine settled, Amit said “I understand your concern for animals, but we need to find a middle path…how do you think we can save animals and not compromise the training”. Gauri then explained how some humane and less hurtful ways can be used, whilst
understanding Amit’s viewpoint. Suddenly the whole room was brighter and the ‘debate’ had turned into a ‘discussion’.

I’m not sure what happened after that but it was obvious that both of them went away wiser about each other’s areas.

Gauri; by the way, was at my office discussing how we can support People for Animals’ new state level umbrella organization. The one that gets launched on the 20th of November. She has been working very hard, like many of her colleuges , for years to fight for and advocate animal rights. The organisation was instumental in getting some action done around animal sacrifice,that is
widely prevelent in our state, as also runs a hospital and shelter for animals at Tapovan , near Raipur. As I write, they have 130 animals, including dogs, bulls, monkeys, goats, and hens, cows …That’s a lot to take care of and between her and her equally devoted colleagues.

If you’d like to support them, please visit www.pfauttarakhand.org .

Till next week.

Vineet Panchhi owns and runs Audio Wagon, his lifelong passion and now a music company. He blogs at Unplanned Journeys , and can be reached at: vineet.panchhi@audiowagon.com