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Jainism: The Cosmic Vision construction of cattle shelters are given importance by the Jain religion. These cattle shelters take care of the sick, the weak, the old and the deserted cattle. Grain flour is sprinkled at places where small insects like ants are found in large number. Raised platforms are specially constructed for birds where they are fed with grain. These are constructed at such heights that other animals do not harm the birds. There are special places reserved for small insects where they can live without being crushed. Quite a few people keep sick or injured animals in their homes and give them the necessary treatment. The tradition of feeding cows and dogs has been in existence in India since ages. Attempts are on to prevent cow slaughter, hunting of birds, export of frogs, use of monkeys, hare and such other animals in laboratories, while efforts are being made to preserve the rights of animals. In India now special ambulances are being arranged for animals. In the town of Vadodara in India, there is a special Animal's Ambulance Group. It has purchased a van and converted it into a small ambulance. It carries a first-aid box, oxygen, cages for birds, paper rolls, blankets, rubber socks and a register. There are four such vans which are used to take the sick, the deserted and the injured animals to the veterinary doctors even in times of emergency. The organisation offers such services from home to home.
Charity must begin at home i. e. the genuine show of sympathy and compassion for animals, birds etc. must begin from the homes of each individual citizen. If there is a zoo at home, it must be dismantled. There should be a ban on the sale of animals captured illegally. The markets where animals and
Compassion Towards Animals birds are sold, the practice of sacrificing animals for religious purposes, the violence perpetrated against animals in the name of festivals - all these should be banned. Instead of killing dogs and pigs by poisoning them, they should be sterilized. The laws pertaining to cruelty against animals must be strictly enforced Animals must be provided with natural habitats, should be allowed to possess natural fertility and should also be given good diet. Animals should not be allowed to be wrongly used for entertainment, sports, circus-shows and such other purposes. The public media should not exhibit on their screens the scenes of cruelty being done to animals. People in general, should be enlightened towards the rights of animals. Every individual should keep their rights in his mind in his day to day life. For instance, the practice of using camels for entertainment purposes at the sea shores in Mumbai so prevalent some years before, had to be discontinued under pressure of public agitation and the animals were then sent back to their natural abode. Special compassion clubs should be organised in schools and colleges in which stories describing love and affection towards animals should be told to the students. The students should be made aware of the sale and purchase of animals for wrongful purposes. Regular visits to animal farms and zoos should be organised for children. Students should also be enlightened about the laws preventing cruelty against animals, and regarding their strict compliance. Protection and preservation of animals and birds are also important things which should be effectively achieved.
I conclude my discourse by residing the poetic composition of the wellknown dramatist George Bernard Shaw
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