(Fwd) (Fwd) Russian Circus on Ice in Kolkata (India)-Animal activists' crusade

[Guest guest]

Russian Circus on Ice in Kolkata (India)-Animal activists' crusade

 

When Smt. Maneka Gandhi informed Debasis

Chakrabarti (Managing Trustee of People For Animals

Calcutta) that Russian State Circus Company (RSCC)

was planning to tour some cities in India, starting from

Kolkata, and she objected to their bringing wild

animals and allowing them to perform, he first

questioned the legal position of the program.

It transpired that the circus had decided, after a letter

from Mrs.Gandhi (to Russian Consul General in

India), to refrain from bringing polar bears and

Penguines. Sea lions, however, were brought, due to

oversight by the managers and lack of adequate

information about official permission in India.

Always alert about maintaining the dignity of the

movement, Debasis chose to use the law, rather than

go in for public demonstrations or protests, which

often serve to make the movement seem like nothing

more than a gimmick. He simply faxed a copy of the

letter sent by the CZA (Central Zoo Authority) to the

local Wildlife Dept., which stated that the circus did

not have CZA permission for sea lions or any birds

under the CITES list. The letter asked the local

authorities to take appropriate action.

Debasis also informed the media that the permission of

the Animal Welfare Board of India (which was

mandatory) had not been given. To do them credit, the

circus authorities immediately stated that in view of the

sentiments of the animal lovers, sea lions would not be

made to perform.

TV interviews and newspaper reports showed that the

animals were already feeling the stress of travel and

climatic changes. The entire group had landed at

Mumbai and travelled by road to Kolkata with four

Sea Lions, a number of Dogs, Cats and Birds. The

Indian veterinarians (who probably had never even

seen a sea lion before) at Mumbai airport certified that

they were fit. No quarantine was deemed necessary,

despite the well known dangers of avain flu.

It is a landmark achievement that the sea lions were

withdrawn immediately. The ill-informed may feel

disappointment to miss viewing an unusual spectacle,

but the sensitive will know that traditional

entertainments often left a trail of suffering and

undesirable social repercussions. It is well to remember

that the very word ‘CIRCUS” originated with the

practice of early Christians being thrown into an arena

for hungry lions to eat, at Rome, when the Roman

Empire was at its peak!

This withdrawal will no doubt bring into sharp focus

the cruelty and injustice practiced so unthinkingly on

other, weaker species. To a wild animal, a human

handler is as much a terrorist, as a human terrorist is to

the kidnapped human victim. When trainers talk about

loving their pets, it is just the same as the

possessiveness of some parents who use love as an

excuse to make captives of their loving children. ‘If

you love somebody, set him free’, is a message many

would benefit from, if they truly understood it.

The incident is a glaring example of how effective

networking by animal activist led by Maneka, ably

assisted by her sister Ambika (Delhi) and PETA India's

Anuradha (Mumbai) could help stop something wrong

happening in Kolkata (Calcutta).

 

A quotable quote : " We brought the sea-lions only after

procuring permission from the Indian government. We

also abided by the CITES law. However, some animal

rights activists have raised their voice against the use

of wild animals and we appreciate their fight. The

circus is meant for amusement and we do not want to

hurt the sentiments of Nearly 20 PER CENT

INDIANS (PROBABLY MORE THAN THE TOTAL

POPULATION OF RUSSIA). Thus, we will send the

sea-lions back home as soon as possible. " -Arkadi

Pogosov, Director of International Relations, RSCC.

 

------- End of forwarded message -------

[Guest guest]

This is an excellent activity.Debasis really deserve praise. Mrs. Maneka Gandhi

has done a commendable Job for the animals during her stint as Union Minister

having charge of Animal Welfare.She had framed new Rules to prevent Cruelty to

Animals in Performance,training and Exhibition/Transportation /slaughtering etc.

 

Under new Performing Animals(Registration) Rules 2001,No organisation can

perform,exhibit or train the animals unless it is registered for the same by

Animal Welfare Board of India.She has been instrumental in banning

training,Exhibition and performance of Five wild Animals namely

:Lion,Tiger,Panther/Bear and Monkeys.The ownership of these animal;s with

Circuses and other establishments etc. have been cancelled and these have been

rehabilitated in various rehabilitation centres.Many circus fedrations appealed

against these orders but they lost in various courts.Now Central Zoo Authority

under Ministry of Environment and Forests have been made Nodal agency for

rehabilitation and upkeep of these animals.

 

Not only wild animals but even dogs,horses and elephants and other animals and

Birds can not be trained/exhibited or performed without registration With Animal

welfare Board of India.The undersigned as well as other activists have stopped

animal performances at many places, on this ground.(The Circus in question is

probably ,not Registered for animal performances with AWBI ).

 

We, as Animal welfare Persons can not tolerate more exploition of poor creatures

for Entertainment in Circuses, Advertisements/films/experiments etc.

 

Dr.Sandeep K.Jain

 

President People For Animals Ludhiana

 

& Former Member,Animal Welfare Board of India

 

(Ministry of Env. & Forests,Govt.of India).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

debasischak wrote:

Russian Circus on Ice in Kolkata (India)-Animal activists' crusade

 

When Smt. Maneka Gandhi informed Debasis

Chakrabarti (Managing Trustee of People For Animals

Calcutta) that Russian State Circus Company (RSCC)

was planning to tour some cities in India, starting from

Kolkata, and she objected to their bringing wild

animals and allowing them to perform, he first

questioned the legal position of the program.

It transpired that the circus had decided, after a letter

from Mrs.Gandhi (to Russian Consul General in

India), to refrain from bringing polar bears and

Penguines. Sea lions, however, were brought, due to

oversight by the managers and lack of adequate

information about official permission in India.

Always alert about maintaining the dignity of the

movement, Debasis chose to use the law, rather than

go in for public demonstrations or protests, which

often serve to make the movement seem like nothing

more than a gimmick. He simply faxed a copy of the

letter sent by the CZA (Central Zoo Authority) to the

local Wildlife Dept., which stated that the circus did

not have CZA permission for sea lions or any birds

under the CITES list. The letter asked the local

authorities to take appropriate action.

Debasis also informed the media that the permission of

the Animal Welfare Board of India (which was

mandatory) had not been given. To do them credit, the

circus authorities immediately stated that in view of the

sentiments of the animal lovers, sea lions would not be

made to perform.

TV interviews and newspaper reports showed that the

animals were already feeling the stress of travel and

climatic changes. The entire group had landed at

Mumbai and travelled by road to Kolkata with four

Sea Lions, a number of Dogs, Cats and Birds. The

Indian veterinarians (who probably had never even

seen a sea lion before) at Mumbai airport certified that

they were fit. No quarantine was deemed necessary,

despite the well known dangers of avain flu.

It is a landmark achievement that the sea lions were

withdrawn immediately. The ill-informed may feel

disappointment to miss viewing an unusual spectacle,

but the sensitive will know that traditional

entertainments often left a trail of suffering and

undesirable social repercussions. It is well to remember

that the very word ‘CIRCUS” originated with the

practice of early Christians being thrown into an arena

for hungry lions to eat, at Rome, when the Roman

Empire was at its peak!

This withdrawal will no doubt bring into sharp focus

the cruelty and injustice practiced so unthinkingly on

other, weaker species. To a wild animal, a human

handler is as much a terrorist, as a human terrorist is to

the kidnapped human victim. When trainers talk about

loving their pets, it is just the same as the

possessiveness of some parents who use love as an

excuse to make captives of their loving children. ‘If

you love somebody, set him free’, is a message many

would benefit from, if they truly understood it.

The incident is a glaring example of how effective

networking by animal activist led by Maneka, ably

assisted by her sister Ambika (Delhi) and PETA India's

Anuradha (Mumbai) could help stop something wrong

happening in Kolkata (Calcutta).

 

A quotable quote : " We brought the sea-lions only after

procuring permission from the Indian government. We

also abided by the CITES law. However, some animal

rights activists have raised their voice against the use

of wild animals and we appreciate their fight. The

circus is meant for amusement and we do not want to

hurt the sentiments of Nearly 20 PER CENT

INDIANS (PROBABLY MORE THAN THE TOTAL

POPULATION OF RUSSIA). Thus, we will send the

sea-lions back home as soon as possible. " -Arkadi

Pogosov, Director of International Relations, RSCC.

 

------- End of forwarded message -------

 

 

For more information on Asian animal issues, please use the search feature on

the AAPN website: http://www.aapn.org/ or search the list archives at:

aapn

Please feel free to send any relevant news or comments to the list at

aapn

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

>

>This is an excellent activity.Debasis really deserve praise. Mrs. Maneka Gandhi

has done a commendable Job for the animals during her stint as Union Minister

having charge of Animal Welfare.She had framed new Rules to prevent Cruelty to

Animals in Performance,training and Exhibition/Transportation /slaughtering etc.

>

>Under new Performing Animals(Registration) Rules 2001,No organisation can

perform,exhibit or train the animals unless it is registered for the same by

Animal Welfare Board of India.She has been instrumental in banning

training,Exhibition and performance of Five wild Animals namely

:Lion,Tiger,Panther/Bear and Monkeys.The ownership of these animal;s with

Circuses and other establishments etc. have been cancelled and these have been

rehabilitated in various rehabilitation centres.Many circus fedrations appealed

against these orders but they lost in various courts.Now Central Zoo Authority

under Ministry of Environment and Forests have been made Nodal agency for

rehabilitation and upkeep of these animals.

>

>Not only wild animals but even dogs,horses and elephants and other animals and

Birds can not be trained/exhibited or performed without registration With Animal

welfare Board of India.The undersigned as well as other activists have stopped

animal performances at many places, on this ground.(The Circus in question is

probably ,not Registered for animal performances with AWBI ).

>

>We, as Animal welfare Persons can not tolerate more exploition of poor

creatures for Entertainment in Circuses, Advertisements/films/experiments etc.

>

>Dr.Sandeep K.Jain

>

>President People For Animals Ludhiana

>

> & Former Member,Animal Welfare Board of India

>

>(Ministry of Env. & Forests,Govt.of India).

 

debasischak wrote:

Russian Circus on Ice in Kolkata (India)-Animal activists' crusade

 

When Smt. Maneka Gandhi informed Debasis

Chakrabarti (Managing Trustee of People For Animals

Calcutta) that Russian State Circus Company (RSCC)

was planning to tour some cities in India, starting from

Kolkata, and she objected to their bringing wild

animals and allowing them to perform, he first

questioned the legal position of the program.

It transpired that the circus had decided, after a letter

from Mrs.Gandhi (to Russian Consul General in

India), to refrain from bringing polar bears and

Penguines. Sea lions, however, were brought, due to

oversight by the managers and lack of adequate

information about official permission in India.

Always alert about maintaining the dignity of the

movement, Debasis chose to use the law, rather than

go in for public demonstrations or protests, which

often serve to make the movement seem like nothing

more than a gimmick. He simply faxed a copy of the

letter sent by the CZA (Central Zoo Authority) to the

local Wildlife Dept., which stated that the circus did

not have CZA permission for sea lions or any birds

under the CITES list. The letter asked the local

authorities to take appropriate action.

Debasis also informed the media that the permission of

the Animal Welfare Board of India (which was

mandatory) had not been given. To do them credit, the

circus authorities immediately stated that in view of the

sentiments of the animal lovers, sea lions would not be

made to perform.

TV interviews and newspaper reports showed that the

animals were already feeling the stress of travel and

climatic changes. The entire group had landed at

Mumbai and travelled by road to Kolkata with four

Sea Lions, a number of Dogs, Cats and Birds. The

Indian veterinarians (who probably had never even

seen a sea lion before) at Mumbai airport certified that

they were fit. No quarantine was deemed necessary,

despite the well known dangers of avain flu.

It is a landmark achievement that the sea lions were

withdrawn immediately. The ill-informed may feel

disappointment to miss viewing an unusual spectacle,

but the sensitive will know that traditional

entertainments often left a trail of suffering and

undesirable social repercussions. It is well to remember

that the very word ‘CIRCUS” originated with the

practice of early Christians being thrown into an arena

for hungry lions to eat, at Rome, when the Roman

Empire was at its peak!

This withdrawal will no doubt bring into sharp focus

the cruelty and injustice practiced so unthinkingly on

other, weaker species. To a wild animal, a human

handler is as much a terrorist, as a human terrorist is to

the kidnapped human victim. When trainers talk about

loving their pets, it is just the same as the

possessiveness of some parents who use love as an

excuse to make captives of their loving children. ‘If

you love somebody, set him free’, is a message many

would benefit from, if they truly understood it.

The incident is a glaring example of how effective

networking by animal activist led by Maneka, ably

assisted by her sister Ambika (Delhi) and PETA India's

Anuradha (Mumbai) could help stop something wrong

happening in Kolkata (Calcutta).

 

A quotable quote : " We brought the sea-lions only after

procuring permission from the Indian government. We

also abided by the CITES law. However, some animal

rights activists have raised their voice against the use

of wild animals and we appreciate their fight. The

circus is meant for amusement and we do not want to

hurt the sentiments of Nearly 20 PER CENT

INDIANS (PROBABLY MORE THAN THE TOTAL

POPULATION OF RUSSIA). Thus, we will send the

sea-lions back home as soon as possible. " -Arkadi

Pogosov, Director of International Relations, RSCC.

 

------- End of forwarded message -------

 

 

For more information on Asian animal issues, please use the search feature on

the AAPN website: http://www.aapn.org/ or search the list archives at:

aapn

Please feel free to send any relevant news or comments to the list at

aapn