Dear Anjali,
Brevity is beauty. I seldom, if ever, write verbose messages. This, however, is longer than usual. It is presaged by several factors : Sadly I never heard from you after the AWBI chairman’s visit to Hyderabad on Sepember 6th, the Facebook post (below) was forwarded to me by both Lisa and Smita (I am not on FB), you and most of those who are sentient humans feel genuinely and strongly for the animals, AWBI is a public body sustained on the taxpayer’s money and therefore not a privilege club, those who invest resources, time and energy for animals despite not being NGOs (most of us work for corporations and/or are professionals) have a right to know. And finally because AWBI (fairly/unfairly) is under substantial flack from many very committed, integral and intelligent people.
Like most people, I believe I have enough education and intelligece to appreciate a helicopter view of the legalesse, central, state and concurrent subjects, municipal laws, sidewinded officialdom and the general rot which characterizes this country. At the same time, nobody who can apply their mind can help but question both the AWBI/your statement on FB as well as the overall lack of coherence in its approach. I shall be candid, frank and consciously undiplomatic. I would like to think you will reflect on what I say, with the atypical human reaction of anger ; because in the endgame, I think we have commonality of purpose. And therefore, engage you on this purely factual, intellectual plane
1.You say “Dog pounds are not set up by the Animal Welfare Board of India, and consequently, the Board is not answerable as regards their management or their mismanagement. The Animal Welfare Board, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, is essentially a facilitator. It facilitates abc ; it facilitates adoption of its SOPs, and of abc as per the ABC (Dogs) Rules, 2001 ; it is an expert advisory body. Of course, it is also the Board’s general mandate to ensure animal welfare, and protect animals from being subjected to unnecessary pain and suffering”
The italics are mine. Fair point on the answerability or lack of it, and aceeding to you on the fact that AWBI is mere faclitator. Could you enlighten me about any strategy, roadmap, action plan the AWBI has crafted to address this painful and ascendent practice of pounds ? How and what has it facilitated ? What prevents the AWBI from lobbying politicians, key influencers, officials and/or educating them on animal suffering/cruelty/the unacceptability of pounds/alternatives ? What measures has the AWBI taken to ensure that animal welfare organizations (AWOs) and NGOs adhere to the key deliverables basis which the AWBI distributes grants of public money to them ? What innovative steps has the AWBI taken to pre-empt the pounds ? And how is the Board meeting its mandate as articulated by you above? It has failed the mandate in Kerala for years in succession (Avis Lyons was even refused recognition or grant on flimsy grounds), it shrank in Ahmedabad, in Kashmir the AWBI representative helped the concept of pounds as reported, and now Hyderabad has gone the same way. I have seen idiotc e-mails zipping in cyberspace for more than a month now but conspicious lack of action.
2.It is poor reflection that “THIS IS WHAT THE CHAIRPERSON AWBI HAD IN MIND WHEN HE EXPRESSED A CERTAIN HESITATION AT THIS POINT IN TIME, TO ‘TAKE ON’ THE GHMC”.
We know from ground reports that the chairman flew in and out of that city and held two meetings : one with what constitutes the local AWO/AWBI/NGO, the proceedings of which were opaque. And another with animal lovers. This was more a speech than dialogue as I learnt from the Hyderabad people. He visited no pounds, met no one from the GHMC. Why did he not walk the mandate talk? And why cannot he be questioned ?
3.”AND LASTLY, A QUESTION THAT I AM PUTTING TO ALL : IS THE CAUSE OF THE DOGS BEING MATERIALLY BENEFITTED BY ATTACKING AMALA AKKINENI, WHO THE BOARD KNOWS TO BE A VERY COMMITTED ANIMAL WELFARE PERSON? IS THAT REALLY A SOLUTION? DO WE WANT ANY THIRD PARTY, SUCH AS THE GHMC, TO GAIN IN SOME MANNER BECAUSE OF DISSENSION IN OUR RANKS?”
I agree and abide by your point on personal attacks. But whilst you defend this very committed animal welfare lady, she has been curiously invisible and of no impact especially considering the fact that she was a Telugu film starlet, heads Blue Cross and is a member of the AWBI. None of these positions have translated to compassion in action. It would have been appropriate to articulate her commitment and effort on the ground. How can you blame people for coming after her when there is nothing to pass muster beyond verbiage. One would expect her to be at the vanguard. She is nowhere.
And curiously, the AWBI does not seem to follow designated best practices in appointment. There is clear conflict of interest in her Blue Cross gig and AWBI slot.
4.Finally, whilst you appeal to reason and claim that “The Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson AWBI are trying to work out an amicable settlement in a very vexed situation. Give the process a chance. How things work out will all become clearer in the days to come”.
How long have they been working on this ? What are the measures of success ? What are the timelines ? Did they work in similar fashion on earlier occasion as well ? If they did the outcome is on record. Do the AWBI, Amla Annikeni Blue Cross, AWOs, NGOs supported by AWBI have anything concerete to show ? Is there any coherent plan or effort ? The appointed guardians do not seem to have the sense of immediacy or clarity of purpose. A growing number of people are critical of the Board and its functionaries. Those who believe in you are now in doubt. In such a situation, free-agents may have to force their hand while going the legal route independently. Because in final reckoning, only the animals matter as we all like to proclaim. Yet, it is only they who stay in hell.
Warmly,
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