Sunday, September 8, 2013

CRUELTY AGAINST ANIMALS FOR ANY PURPOSE IS QUESTIONABLE


            Many of us probably know that several types of animals are being used for research work, in many countries, including India. During this process, they are subjected to adverse situations leading to cruelty against them. In some cases, the objective is said to be to carry out research for finding cures for human diseases. First of all, are we sure that the experiments being conducted on animals give a realistic picture? The second question which arises is as to what is the fault of the animals, due to which the animals should be subjected to cruelty. Can we not do without this testing on animals in this cruel manner? Though it is called research, the animals are subjected to fearful, painful, stressful and harmful experiments, even sometimes leading to barbaric killing in various institutions and laboratories etc. Do we have a right to kill animals? Sometimes duplicate set of experiments are also done unnecessarily. The animals are housed in filthy, narrow and congested cages/spaces, subjected to isolation and stressful environment, compelled to consume contaminated food and water, have inadequate support of veterinary Doctor for treatment, with likelihood of accidents & injuries even leading to accidental deaths also. Cruelty is also taking place during several other instances/places as well, which we should take note of. One usual place is during their use in vehicles, like a Tonga using a horse, a bullock cart using bullocks, cart using a donkey or a camel, donkeys used for carrying loads of bricks, sand or clothes etc. on their backs. Elephants are used for transporting logs of wood. Also elephants and camels are used for joy rides for human beings, camels are used for races and dance, monkeys are used for dance and bird fights as well as bull fights are arranged for entertainment of human beings. Besides this, the use of various animals for circus as well as for cinema, needs examination and consideration. In zoos, animals may not be housed in very friendly/comfortable environment. While keeping these animals at homes, they may be chained or caged for example cows, buffaloes, horses, donkeys and dogs etc.  are chained and birds, rabbits etc. are caged. Some animals are kept in some homes as pets or even small zoos at homes and whether these have a reasonably good environment, needs consideration. Sometimes animals are transported by air, by train or by road. Their comfort during their journey needs examination. Several persons may be unaware of all this. The general public should be made aware of these experiments being done, the reasons and necessity thereof and the possibilities of alternatives. Awareness should lead to reduction and stoppage of such cases, through public opinion, direct and legal action.  If a sample survey is conducted across all sections of the society, spread over various cities and towns of the country, about the personal experiences with animals and for obtaining an idea of the prevailing public opinion, lot of information may be forth coming, which we may not be having at present. This will of course, help in creating further awareness, as well as well as in motivating us to innovate and try to find alternative methods, to resolve this problem.

            Compiled and presented by vijaiksharma, as a result of discussions in the meetings with Saturday Group Members Dr. L K Kothari, Dr. D K Jain, Mr. Surendra Bothara, Dr. Rajendra Ratnesh, and Mr. Vijai K Sharma at Jaipur.

                                                                                     ----------vijaiksharma


A VISIT TO PADAMPURA NEAR JAIPUR



            The world famous Pink city of Jaipur has many places of interest for the pilgrims and the tourists. In the past, we had the good fortune to visit Padampura, which is situated at a distance of 33 kms from Jaipur on the Jaipur-Kota road. This place is famous for Atishya Kshetra (Bada), the centre for the Digamber Jains. This houses the idol of sixth Tirthankar Devadhidev Shri 1008 Padamprabhu Swami Ji. This idol is said to have emerged out of the land in this area. The miraculous effects of this idol soon attracted thousands from far and wide.  It is understood that merely by having darshan; several problems of the devotees are cured. The place where the idol had emerged had been identified and a charan-chatri has been constructed. It is a place for spiritual benefits.
The highest point of this temple, made in white marble, is 85 feet high. The entrance gate of this temple is 98 feet by 35 feet by 45 feet high. This place is developing fast. The facilities provided for the devotees visiting this place include providing of free and pure food. There is also a Government dispensary here, for providing medical facilities. From time to time special medical camps are also organized. For the benefit of the devotees, arrangements for many deluxe/semi-deluxe rooms and large sized halls have been constructed. Accommodation for those working here is also planned to be provided. A large library here provides old rare books and even hand written scripts, for Jain religion, and also other religions, as a source of knowledge and study. The whole environment around is clean and peaceful, free from pollution and having trees and plantations. Gardens, swings and other items for playing for children have also been provided here. Bus service exists from the main city. Besides these, it has Government School, OBC Bank, Post Office, PCO/STD booth, cool water for drinking, generator for electric supply etc. There are plans for further development of this unique place. During our first visit,  we visited various spots/areas in and around this temple. It was a very pleasant experience. After this first visit, we were so much impressed that we have visited it several times more and also motivated our families to visit it, who also liked it very much. Many celebrities have been coming here and appreciating this place. In short, it is a place more than just a visit.

            Compiled and presented by vijaiksharma, as a result of discussions in the meetings with Saturday Group Members Dr. L K Kothari, Dr. D K Jain, Mr. Surendra Bothara, Dr. Rajendra Ratnesh and Mr. Vijai K Sharma at Jaipur.

                                                                                     ----------vijaiksharma