Lakshmi RIP

Lakshmi died day before. She was knocked down by a speeding truck, very close to where I stay. I used to see Lakshmi being bathed by a cackle of local street urchins, all having the time of their lives. This used to happen right next to the highway and used to be a quite a sight for passersby. She would be most patient, wallowing in the attention that she deservedly got. The mahout of course, used all the labour that he could get, that too for free.I have never seen a more obedient animal. She followed instructions to the T, whether out of fear or love we’ll never know. The mahout as has been widely written now, used her to make money. That would mean everything from taking part in temple festivals to actually begging on roads. I don’t know what’s more cruel- being displaced from her natural habitat for life, being made to walk miles on concrete which she obviously doesn’t enjoy, not getting her fill everyday, being made to beg…the list is endless.
The mahout had his reasons am sure, but nothing in this world justifies torture. Her end came badly too, paralysed, lifted by steel wires to go to the Animal Hospital. In the end it was too late.
We are increasingly getting intolerant of our surroundings; we couldn’t care less for greenery as long as we have enough of it in our immediate surroundings (read society). Stray animals of all kinds need to be cleaned up is the popular opinion. At some level this phenomenon is seen even among how we treat other humans. Some people still, seem to be more equal than others.

Comments

Sharan Sharma said…
Will need to read this fully...bloody tied up till thu...
September 26, 2006 12:45 am
Sharan Sharma said…
> knocked down by a speeding truck

those damn truck guys. Couldn't the fellow see a HUGE elephant in Bombay!
September 30, 2006 8:33 am
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