In a unique initiative to create a dazzling yet sound-free Diwali, the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate organised a walk by pets and their owners at New Town’s City Square ground near Central Mall on October 20.
It was an attempt to highlight the plight of these animals, who unlike humans, couldn’t express their anguish and distress thanks to the decibel dhamaka during Diwali.
The walk was also aimed at creating awareness among Diwali revellers and make them follow the restrictions imposed by the High Court against the sale and bursting of sound-emitting firecrackers.
A division bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Apurba Sinha Roy on Tuesday had ordered a complete ban on the sale and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers and only green firecrackers could be sold in the state.
New Town ACP, Shreya Sarkar, took the initiative in collaboration with Animal Planet and Oh My Paws.
HIDCO’s Sandhya Mazlis at the community zone under the Axis Mall Flyover was the event’s congregation point.
There was no ‘paw-city’ (of sorts) of breeds and variety of dogs at the walk. From Labradors, Golden Retrievers to Husky and the Indian stray. St Bernard and even some unique breeds such as Chow Chow made their presence felt at the walk.
The registration counter, manned by police personnel, gave away placards pleading for a silent Diwali to the pet owners before the walk began.
Messages on placards outlined the purpose of the rally
To facilitate the pets, bowls filled with water were placed on the track. The short but rather energetic walk attracted onlookers and several evening walkers took time out to witness the unique march.
People appreciated the attempt and especially lauded the idea of engaging the lovely pets to plead for their own cause.
On behalf of the organisers, Tapan Kumar Gupta of Animal Planet, hailed the court order and the commendable efforts of the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate in this regard.
Gupta said, “Animals are extremely sensitive to sound and the firecrackers’ decibel count can have a huge impact on them.”
ACP Shreya Sarkar, who played a key role in organising the event told My Kolkata, “Diwali revellers would certainly pay heed to the new guidelines imposed against illegal firecrackers and with New Town, being a pet-loving zone, such an initiative was launched here to ensure that Diwali is celebrated as a festival of lights only. Not only pets, even humans, especially the aged, are traumatized with the sound-emitting high decibel firecrackers. It was also an attempt to involve those who are affected in order to create a larger impact.
“Though we didn’t have a huge pre-event publicity, the number of participants was encouraging and the message was clear. Pets themselves have pleaded for their safety during Diwali.”
ACP Shreya Sarkar at the event
Dr Moumita Maity Rana, resident of New Town and a dentist by profession, who also participated in the rally said, “I am proud to be a part of this initiative by the Bidhannagar Police. I thank them for taking such a step. It is not only the sound-emitting firecrackers but the pollution that follows is threatening for one and all. As a pet parent, it is traumatic to see their agony. Someone’s joy should not be a matter of concern for someone else. This is a festival of lights not crackers, so let’s follow this.”
Also, among the participants were Nichen Lepcha and his St Bernard. Lepcha, too, voiced similar sentiments. He said, “As animal lovers, we are all appalled by the inhuman and cruel attitude of some. I urge one and all to abstain from such acts. We are not only concerned about our pets but also for the stray animals who are left to fend for themselves. We need to pause, reconsider and be more loving to the world around us.”
Among the distinguished guests at the event was DCP, New Town Zone, Bishop Sarkar, who thanked all for attending the plead march and praised ACP Shreya Sarkar for making this event possible despite such a short notice. He hoped that this would create the much-needed awareness among people.
DCP Bishop Sarkar addresses the gathering at the event
ACP Sarkar also thanked the organisers and sponsors and the officials of HDFL who had gone all out to make the event a grand success and hoped that people would appreciate the initiative.
On behalf of the attending officials, Ankur Roy Choudhury said, “This happens to be the first of its kind show and we hope that more and more people are aware of the perils of sound-emitting firecrackers. Pets are most sensitive to noise and unlike humans they can’t cover their ears and have to bear with untold misery. He said it is high time that humans desist from such acts. One’s joy certainly cannot create misery for others,” said Roy Choudhury.
However, it remains to be seen how New Towner’s actually conduct themselves during Diwali 2022.
