During a weekend of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India’s (PETA India) achievements for animals over the past year held last weekend at the Willingdon Sports Club at Tardeo – National Film Award-winning actor Raveena Tandon was named as an honorary director for the NGO in recognition of her tireless volunteer advocacy on behalf of animals with PETA India for over two decades. Meanwhile, actor and longtime PETA India supporter Rupali Ganguly, star of hit series Anupamaa, was presented with PETA India’s Humanitarian Award for her efforts to eliminate horse-drawn carriages in Kolkata and for promoting the adoption of dogs and cats in need. Priest of Irinjadapilly Sree Krishna Temple Rakumar p.I, who is vegan, won a Compassionate Leadership Award for becoming the first to welcome a mechanical elephant in a place of worship. PETA India Director Poorva Joshipura presented the honours, and the founder of PETA entities worldwide, Ingrid Newkirk, gave a thought-provoking talk.
Last week, actor and stand-up comic Jeeveshu Ahluwalia, was conferred with the Digital Activism Award for his work to encourage the adoption of community dogs and cats, and renowned jewellery designer Rahul Luthra of Raabta by Rahul won the Progressive Designer Award for pledging not to use feathers in his designs and for incorporating plant leather into his beautiful pieces. This ceremony took place at The Park in New Delhi.
Tandon’s many compassionate actions on behalf of animals include being meat-free; partnering with PETA India to gift a life-sized mechanical elephant to Karnataka’s Thousand Pillars Jain Temple along with Rasha Thadani; calling on authorities to take swift action after humans strangled a leopard in a village; joining PETA India in calling attention to the suffering of snakes, alligators, and other animals violently slaughtered for their skin; starring in a PETA India campaign urging everyone never to buy animals from a breeder or pet store; and promoting PETA India’s award-winning Compassionate Citizen programme, which fosters empathy in young learners by helping them understand and appreciate animals among others. Tandon has also personally rescues animals from the busy streets of Mumbai. Tandon was also named PETA India’s Person of the Year in 2025.
Raveena Tandon with Ingrid, Poorva and Sachin“I’m thankful for this tremendous honour of being made PETA India Honorary Director and look forward to continue supporting PETA India’s vital work to make the world a more compassionate place for all,” says Tandon. “Through my association with PETA India, my heart has been opened to empathy that does not differentiate between species, and I am deeply committed to protecting animals in every way I can.”
“I’m deeply humbled and moved by PETA India’s Humanitarian Award. Animals, or as I choose to call them, the voiceless innocents, depend on us to be their ally, whether it’s encouraging people to adopt dogs or cats in need from shelters or speaking up for horses who are forced to pull carriages on busy city roads. Adoption saves lives, and compassion makes a better society for all,” says Rupali Ganguly. “I’m proud to stand with PETA India in urging kinder, safer choices that respect animals as living, feeling beings. They are not for our amusement or entertainment. Deforestation is killing animals. Human greed has no bounds, and the ones who are suffering are the voiceless fur babies.”
“Animals in need have heroes by their side in Raveena Tandon, Rupali Ganguly, Jeeveshu Ahluwalia, Rahul Luthra, and Rajkumar Namboodri,” says PETA India Vice President of Celebrity and Public Relations Sachin Bangera. “From inspiring meat-free eating and ethical fashion to protecting elephants and horses, PETA India supporters are animal liberation powerhouses. PETA India encourages everyone to follow their compassionate lead.”
Rupali Ganguly with PETA India Director Poorva JoshipuraTandon is the second person to become an honorary director of PETA India, following actor John Abraham. She also joins a distinguished and exclusive roster of honorary directors of PETA entities abroad, including Pamela Anderson, James Cromwell, Anjelica Huston, and more. Rupali joins the esteemed roster of celebrities, including Sonu Sood, Hema Malini, Anoushka Shankar, Gulshan Grover, Shahid Kapoor, and others, who have won PETA India’s Humanitarian and other awards.
