A group of 100 children from St Mira’s Primary School took the Pune Metro - for a special reason - the occasion of World Animal Day, October 4, 2024.
Gathering at Ruby Hall Metro Station, they took the train to Civil Court. The 8 to 9-year old students displayed colourful placards and chanted heartfelt slogans such as ‘Birds and animals are our brothers and sisters’, ‘Save animals, Save Earth’, and ‘Shoot with a camera, not with guns’.
World Animal Day marks the anniversary of St Francis. The student rally also remembered Pune’s own saint, Sadhu Vaswani, who advocated animal rights.
With unwavering enthusiasm, the children, accompanied by dedicated teachers, engaged the commuters, inviting them to pledge to go meatless for at least one day on November 25, the birthday of Sadhu Vaswani.
One student expressed the motivation behind their efforts: “We should stop killing animals for our meals and taking their skin for our dresses. We should rather take care of them, feed them, and love them. I want everyone to do the same.”
The school principal, Ruby Karna, noted the strategic decision to engage with the public in a place where people often have a moment to pause and listen while waiting for their trains and stops. “This not only helps in spreading awareness but also instills in the children the values of kindness and compassion toward all living beings. When they take the extra effort to convince others, they will themselves remember it for a longer time.” the principal added.
The students’ infectious commitment to this cause have undoubtedly made a significant impact, fostering a greater understanding of the need for animal rights and vegetarianism within the community. As they continue to spread their message, the hope remains that more individuals will join in their efforts to create a more compassionate world for all beings.
