CELEBRATE BUT NOT BLINDLY: RICHA

Richa Chadha has collaborated with an NGO for the welfare of animals during festivals

Richa Chadha has always been vocal about her opinions and has been associated with a variety of causes, especially those related to the welfare of the animals. An ardent animal lover, the Masaan (2015) actor has joined hands with an NGO, ResQ that works for animal welfare and runs animal care centres. The NGO has tied-up with Richa to pledge and appeal to people to stop being unruly, as well as misbehaving and mistreating animals, especially street dogs and cats during festivals or public celebrations. They want to educate people and spread awareness about the adverse effects of such acts, and the goal is to celebrate with care.

Richa says, “I have personally been working with ResQ for a while now and have visited their animal shelter in Pune. As much as I love festival and festivities of India, I personally feel the dire need for a general sense of awareness for festivals at large. Be it Diwali or Holi or any public celebrations, celebrate, follow all celebratory customs but don’t do it blindly. Personally, I feel most for animals. One who cannot speak must not suffer for another’s joy. During such times, animals are intentionally, for the sake of cheap thrills, subjected to cruel things. Imagine what and how it could harm the animals. So, we have pledged

Personally, I feel most for animals. One who cannot speak must not suffer for another’s joy. During such times, animals are intentionally, for the sake of cheap thrills, subjected to cruel things. Imagine what and how it could harm the animals.

RICHA CHADHA, ACTOR

together to make such information available and to create an awareness about the effect such cruelty has on animals.”

They wish to make a difference and create awareness in society about the treatment of animals during festive times. There have been countless instances of people applying colours on them during Holi, bursting firecrackers near them during Diwali, even the loud sounds of processions leave several animals with injuries, scars, hearing problems and skin diseases.