Latest news with #IndianVeterinaryResearchInstitute
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Zoo to reopen soon
Kanpur: Wildlife enthusiasts have received good news regarding the potential reopening of Kanpur zoo, which remained shut for 49 days. The Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly and the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal conducted tests on wildlife samples collected in phases. Both institutions have confirmed the absence of bird flu in all tested specimens. Recent test results for 12 more wild animals came negative. Regional forest officer Naved Ikram has notified relevant authorities about the current zoo status. The facility awaits official orders to resume public operations this week. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Not ‘Pashu' but ‘Jeevan Dhan' says President. But do our animal protection laws agree?
President Droupadi Murmu's recent statement at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) convocation calling the word 'pashu' (animal) 'inappropriate' and urging instead for the term 'jeevan dhan' (wealth of life) reflects a growing recognition of animals' vital role in Indian society. She emphasised that animals are not just resources but are integral to human life, culture, and the agricultural backbone of the country. Yet, this sentiment stands in stark contrast to the realities of India's animal protection laws, which remain woefully outdated and make our life and planet beautiful. No one is more loyal and faithful than them. 'Pashu' is a mindset when someone is cruel. Doesn't fit for four-legged babies," said Neeru, an animal lover and feeder from Delhi."There is no harm in calling animals 'Jeevan Dhan' but with that we should also ensure the justice they deserve when subjected to cruelty. Using such a term implies deep respect and value, yet our laws do not reflect that sentiment meaningfully. Despite the immense food, support, companionship, animals provide in our daily lives, we continue to fail them when it comes to their protection," says Niharika Kashyap, Advocate and animal rights activist. She also explains that this contradiction becomes even more apparent when we look at the legal framework. The transition from IPC 1860 Section 428 to BNS 2023 Section 325 has resulted in a mere copy-paste, with no meaningful entire childhood and adulthood have been full of love given to me by these fur babies. Where humans and humanity failed these babies stepped up for me and filled that void in my heart and gave me a purpose. Right to say, they are not pashu but life forces necessity for survival. Whether it is to cure depression or add another family member, these babies are the perfect fit. They enrich our lives, make us believe in humanity and expect almost nothing from us," says Khushboo Srivastava, an avid animal lover from Delhi now reciting in deep down more and learn the legalities, loopholes and other major details:THE LEGAL STATUS QUO: A TOKEN FINE FOR TAKING A LIFEIndia's principal animal welfare legislation, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA), 1960, prescribes shockingly low penalties for cruelty, including killing an law's most infamous provision allows for a fine as little as Rs. 10 to Rs. 50 for acts of cruelty, including killing an animal, a sum unchanged for over six though the earlier Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) criminalised the killing or maiming of animals, just like Section 325 of BNS criminalises, its impact is the law allows for imprisonment of up to five years or a fine or both the monetary penalty can be as low as Rs outdated provision has effectively stripped the law of any real deterrent power, making it largely ineffective in preventing animal AMENDMENTS SINCE 2022: A WAY FROWARD BUT NOT THERE YETAfter years of advocacy and public outcry, the government proposed amendments in 2022. The draft amendments suggest:Fines ranging from Rs. 750 up to Rs. 75,000, or three times the cost of the animal, for acts of up to five years for severe offences, especially those resulting in an animal's death or permanent of cruelty into minor injury, major injury, and death, with penalties graded offences cognisable, empowering police to act without a status for state animal welfare draft also introduces new sections specifically targeting gruesome cruelty and killing of animals, with penalties of Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 and jail terms of up to five these changes are still in the proposal stage. As of June 2025, the amendments have not yet been enacted. The government has invited public comments, but the legislative process is ongoing, and the old, ineffective penalties remain in WORD: ARE SLOGANS AND POSTERS ENOUGH?Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's initiative to display 'Be Kind to Animals' slogans on public transport and construct animal overpasses on highways is a positive step for raising awareness and preventing roadkill in February awareness campaigns alone cannot substitute for robust legal deterrence. Without strict enforcement and meaningful penalties, slogans risk becoming mere token LOOPHOLES AND CHALLENGESDespite the proposed reforms in 2022, several loopholes and systemic issues persist:The amendments have not been passed, so the archaic Rs. 50 penalty remains the legal existing laws are poorly enforced, with hundreds of animal cruelty cases pending in law's focus on the animal's 'value' (Rs. 50 threshold) ignores the intrinsic worth of animal life and amendments allow exceptions for accidental deaths, self-defence, or 'acts of God,' which can be misused to escape posters help, there is insufficient education about animal rights and the consequences of cruelty, especially in rural animal welfare boards often lack the resources, authority, and statutory backing to enforce laws JEEVAN DHAN TO LEGAL PROTECTIONPresident Murmu's call to recognise animals as 'jeevan dhan' is a powerful reminder of their importance. But until India's laws are updated and enforced with seriousness, animals will remain vulnerable to cruelty and neglect. Real change demands:Swift passage and implementation of the proposed amendmentsStronger enforcement and judicial sensitivity to animal cruelty casesPublic education campaigns that go beyond slogans to foster empathy and responsibilityInstitutional strengthening of animal welfare bodiesOnly then can India truly honour its cultural legacy of compassion and the president's vision where animals are not just 'pashu', but cherished as 'jeevan dhan' in both spirit and law.- EndsTrending Reel
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
UP Guv: Varsities should ensure research benefits farmers
Bareilly: Research and innovation by universities should be guided by the needs of society so that it can help solve problems of women, farmers and other needy sections, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel said on Monday. She was addressing the 11th convocation ceremony of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly. 'Under the new education policy, universities should assess the skills of their students, identify the issues faced by various sections of society that they can address, and determine how their knowledge can be beneficial to society,' Patel said. 'Where do we stand? What are our weaknesses and strengths? What are the needs and challenges? Unless we keep these factors in mind, no one will benefit from our efforts. 'We have 200 acres of land, and we should actively engage with the community. We must make efforts to ensure that students from nearby villages have the opportunity to attend the university, as this has been our goal,' she added. The governor said that she herself has been associated with both agriculture and animal husbandry and her experience shows that 'unless we sit with women and farmers and understand their real needs and problems, meaningful solutions for them are not possible'. Sharing her experience of Gujarat, the former chief minister said that in 2003, a campaign was started to connect scientists directly with farmers under the 'Lab to Land' initiative in the western state. All the ministers, MLAs and public representatives also participated in this campaign and 'through a Rath Yatra, they went from village to village and communicated with the farmers', she said. As a result of those meetings and conversations, positive changes were possible in the villages, the governor said Patel emphasised that universities should also make efforts to ensure that ruralsociety can directly benefit from their research and knowledge.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Voice of voiceless: CM lauds scientists
1 2 Lucknow: Recalling the institute's role in making vaccines for lumpy skin disease in cattle during Covid, CM Yogi Adityanath on Monday lauded the researchers of Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) for their efforts to link science with compassion. Addressing the 11th convocation of the institute, along with President Droupadi Murmu and Governor Anandiben Patel, Yogi encouraged students to work towards realising the goal of PM Narendra Modi 's Viksit Bharat. He called the institution's 136-year journey a source of inspiration for the entire nation, saying, "Scientists like you become the voice of the voiceless beings who cannot speak for themselves. Your research and service give a new direction to society." He also recalled IVRI's role during the pandemic, where the organisation carried out over 2 lakh RT-PCR tests in collaboration with the state govt. The institute's role was not limited to veterinary science but was also a front-runner in saving human lives, he said. "Even our gaushala in Gorakhpur was affected. When scientists proposed testing the vaccine, I immediately contacted the then Union minister Parshottam Rupala to obtain approval, and the vaccine developed by IVRI successfully eliminated lumpy disease from the state. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo I thank the scientists for their service to voiceless animals. By providing improved livestock breeds, you have empowered the farmers," he said. Stating that Bareilly was rich in mythological and spiritual heritage, Yogi said the city was home to 7 ancient temples of Lord Shiva, which are now being developed into the 'Nath Corridor'. Temples like Baba Alakhnath, Vankhandi Nath, Trivati Nath, Tapeshwar Nath, Madhi Nath, Dhopeshwar Nath, and Shri Pashupatinath are key identities of Bareilly. He added that while these temples gave the city spiritual identity, IVRI provided it with a modern scientific stature. "Today marks a new chapter in your lives. This degree is not just an academic milestone but a pledge to serve society," he told graduating students.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Ensure empathy guides your work, Prez tells researchers
1 2 Lucknow: Highlighting the impact of a consumption-driven society on humans, animals, and environment as was evident during Covid-19 pandemic, President Droupadi Murmu called upon doctors and researchers to allow compassion and empathy to guide their work, especially in their service to animals. Awarding 24 medals and degrees to 576 graduates at the 11th convocation ceremony of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly on Monday, the President recalled her own connection with nature and spoke about the bond between humans and animals. "This relationship is much like that of a family. While we now live in a modern, tech-driven world, in earlier times animals were our tools and companions. Farmers could not progress without them. Animals were once considered our wealth, and life without them was unimaginable," she said, adding that Indian culture believes that the divine is present in all living beings. Expressing concern over the decreasing visibility of domestic animals in rural areas, Murmu added that such animals have historically supported agriculture, but as one embraced technology, essential soil partners like earthworms started vanishing, leading to barren land. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo She said that restoring soil fertility would require collective efforts from farmers, scientists, veterinarians, and citizens. The President referred to the decline in vulture populations, stating how it was partly due to chemical drugs used in veterinary treatments. A ban on such drugs would be a commendable step towards vulture conservation, she highlighted that many other species were either extinct or on the verge of extinction and called for biodiversity conservation for ecological balance. "Institutions like IVRI should lead by example in enhancing biodiversity. The institute has achieved numerous milestones in its 135-year journey, from research contributions of scientists, patents, designs, and copyrights held by the institute. It is a matter of pride that IVRI developed several vaccines under the National Animal Disease Control Programme," she said. The President urged officials to organise Animal Health Melas to promote grassroots-level animal care and suggested that veterinary camps in villages could play a vital role in strengthening public health. Congratulating the medal winners and degree recipients, the President expressed delight at the strong presence of female awardees, calling it an encouraging sign of women's growing role in veterinary science. She spoke about how women traditionally cared for cows and other animals within households, noting that this deep-rooted connection makes their participation in the veterinary field especially meaningful. Appreciating the role of the Animal Science Incubator at IVRI in promoting entrepreneurship and start-ups in veterinary science, Murmu encouraged students to set up ventures that would not only generate employment but also contribute to the national economy, calling upon the alumni to guide such initiatives. Stressing the importance of the concept of 'One Health', which views human, animal, plant, and environmental health as interconnected, Murmu urged everyone to follow this principle and to actively work towards animal welfare. As a premier veterinary institute, she said, IVRI could play a significant role in the control and prevention of genetic diseases. The President pointed out that technology has the potential to revolutionise veterinary medicine and care. "Institutions like IVRI should use cutting-edge technologies to develop affordable and indigenous solutions for diagnosing animal diseases and improving nutrition. Efforts should also be made to identify alternatives to harmful drugs that have adverse effects not only on animals but also on humans and the environment," the President said.
