Kolkata: Some residents of Howrah, including senior citizens, have chalked out a unique plan called 'Mission 21' to feed at least 21 stray dogs per day during the 21-day lockdown.
As the lockdown period has been extended, the scheme will also continue until it is officially lifted. The strays are fed both in the mornings and evenings and water is also provided to them.
Some residents of MC Ghosh Lane in Central Howrah along with senior citizens, including college teachers, retired government officials and some volunteers, have drawn up this plan to feed the stray dogs who have been very badly hit and are literally starving.
The team feeds around 60 stray dogs and cats around Sarat Sadan, Boxing Club, Fasitala, areas surrounding MC Ghosh Lane and Belilious Road. The food includes a nutritious mix of rice, cereals and chicken. Special attention has been given to the lactating, injured, debilitated and infirm dogs. Medicines and ORS are also being given when necessary. Swapan Maity, Dipak Banerjee and his wife Munmun along with Sandip Sil, all residents of the area, are said to be leading from the front in this mission. Bharat, a railway porter who stays in Howrah Maidan area, has also joined them.
In South Kolkata, Susmita Mukherjee, a housewife, is feeding nearly 70 stray dogs near Rabindra Sarobar Stadium and giving them medicines to those who are suffering from various ailments. Brinda Sen is also involved in the same exercise inside the Rabindra Sarobar campus.