The “Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony” was organised by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), a statutory body of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 27^th February 2025. AWBI has been established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 to ensure that animals are not subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering. The event was graced by Union Ministers of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian. Ms. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department (AHD), Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner and Chairman, AWBI along with senior officials of the ministry and representatives from state governments were also present on the occasion.

 

 

The event marked the release of four important books for effective implementation of rules and guidelines for animal welfare in India. These books will serve as vital tools for veterinarians, policymakers and field officials, to help ensure timely and effective responses for animal welfare. These include Handbook for Veterinary Officers on Animal Welfare Laws; Law Enforcement Handbook on Animal Welfare Laws; Animal Law Handbook for Urban Local Bodies and Revised Animal Birth Control (ABC) module for Street Dogs Population management, rabies eradication and reducing man-dog conflict.

In his address, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, elucidated the vision of Vasudev Kutumbakam (the whole world is a family) and stated that the rich Indian cultural heritage teaches us to nurture and revere  animals and other elements of nature. Prof. Baghel said that the ongoing livestock census will not only help in effective policy formation but also be instrumental in proper fund allocation for animal welfare in the country. He emphasized upon the need for parents to counsel and sensitize their children towards animals in order to build a compassionate society. Prof. Baghel also remembered Smt. Rukmini Devi Arunadale, on this occasion for her tireless advocacy for animal welfare that led to the enactment of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

 

Shri George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in his address said that India has a rich cultural and spiritual heritage that has always revered animals. He congratulated animal lovers who are tirelessly working for animal welfare and spreading the message of kindness and compassion towards animals in the society.

Ms. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) emphasized upon  the role of various stakeholders i.e. State Governments and Local Bodies that have a major role to play in raising awareness about animal welfare. She stated that much more needs to be done at policy level to sensitize and reduce animal cruelty.  She said that “One Health” has become even more important post the Covid 19 pandemic wherein zoonotic diseases need to pre-emptively be controlled. While highlighting about the positive impact of A-Help (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production), she said that health of livestock including their nutritional safety needs urgent attention at all levels. Ms. Upadhyaya also emphasized upon the need to frame rules that ease travel for animals in the country. Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner and Chairman, AWBI while deliberating upon the functioning and activities of the Board, highlighted that the Covid 19 pandemic can be traced to animal origins and hence there is a need to invest more in animal health. Chairman, AWBI stated that the issue of stray animals need to be addressed and as a society our focus should be on human animal coexistence.

 

This year’s “Prani Mitra Awards” were conferred to the following individuals / organizations under five categories:

 

1. Advocacy – Individual to Shri Akhil Jain, Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
2. Innovative Idea – Individual to Shri Ramesh Bhai Veljibhai Ruparelia, Gondal, Gujarat.
3. Life Time Animal Service – Individual to Shri Harnarayan Soni, Osiyan, Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
4. Animal Welfare Organisation (AWO) to Sri Sri 1008 Sriram Ratandasji Vaishanav Go Sewa Samiti, Karahdham, Morena, Madhya Pradesh.
5. Corporate / PSUs / Government bodies / Cooperatives to Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust, Jamnagar, Gujarat

 

In addition, the “Jeev Daya Award” of AWBI was conferred to the following individuals / organizations under three categories:

 

1. Individual:  Ms. Nisha Subramanian Kunju, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2. Animal Welfare Organization:  Bhagwan Mahavir Pashu Raksha Kendra, Kutch, Gujarat
3. Schools/ Institutions/ Teachers/ Children (below the age of 18 years): Master Chaitanya M Saxena, Jaipur, Rajasthan and Master Aadi Shah, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

 

About “Prani Mitra  and Jeev Daya Awards”

 

The “Prani Mitra Award” was introduced in 1966 for the Individuals for their outstanding and remarkable contribution in the field of Animal Welfare and Protection, which has now further been extended to the organizations. In addition, the AWBI has instituted the “Jeev Daya Award” in 2001 to recognize and appreciate the services rendered by animal lovers. Since 1966, 54 persons have been conferred with the Prani Mitra Award for their meritorious and outstanding services for the cause of protection of animals and promotion of Animal Welfare in general. Also, the Board had conferred Jeev Daya Award to 12 Individuals / Organizations since 2001.

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Aditi Agrawal

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