| | | | Laxmi, who was hit by a water tanker on Wednesday at Chembur | On Wednesday, Laxmi, an elephant was hit by a water tanker.
She succumbed to her injuries early yesterday morning.
This act of recklessness and callousness has Mumbai's animal-loving actors up in arms. Here are their reactions…
Smriti Z Iraani
TV actress/ producer
In a city teeming with people, not enough thought goes into caring for animals. However, Mumbai has a heart large enough and a conscience big enough to protect animals. It's sad that we had to lose Laxmi, and it should teach all of us a lesson. All we need to do it seek enforcement of existing laws to protect and provide help to animals in the city. Poonam Narula Goyal
Television actress
First of all, elephants should immediately be stopped from roaming the streets of Mumbai. The traffic here just does not allow such a huge animal to roam on the roads. These poor animals can't even move away if a speeding vehicle comes in their way.
Secondly, the mahout has to be punished. We all believe that elephants Ganpati ke roop hote hai and give them food if we see them passing by. But the conditions in which these animals are kept are pathetic.
They are not fed properly or cared for. They only survive on the food that the public gives them.
Once, at Lokhandwala (Andheri), I stopped and told the mahout that he should not roam the streets with the animal. Also, it is pathetic to see these guys going around with monkeys. This too should be banned. I am back in Mumbai, I'm very keen on extending support to Laxmi's cause in whatever capacity I can. Sandiip Sikcand
Chief creative director, Sony Entertainment Television
We should hang our heads in shame. As it is some people treat humans like animals, so why not treat animals like humans? I am sure if proper care had been taken and there was not this huge delay in taking the animal to the hospital, Laxmi could have survived.
We are totally unprepared for such things. I don't know if proper medical services were provided to the animal. I am supporting the movement started by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for not allowing elephants on the city's roads. Chandana Sharma
TV actress
Elephants should be seen where they belong, in the wild. They should be left free and not be used for entertainment purposes or as part of marriage processions and such things.
Don't we pray to Ganpati, the elephant god? I am associated with PETA and have always backed their causes. We see donkeys and cows just lying on the city's streets. They should not be here, but in their natural environment.
We should educate ourselves about our attitudes towards animals. There should be animal education in schools. These creatures are not here for our entertainment or to be pelted with stones. Just like we are taught civic awareness, we should also be made aware of animal awareness. Maaninee Misshra
TV actress
The driver who hurt Laxmi should be stoned and given the most severe form of punishment. There needs to be an increased awareness among citizens about distressed animals in the city.
Elephants are creatures of the wild, and that's where they belong. There is a humane way to treat the stray dog problem, where organisations like PETA play an important role in sterilising the population. The loss of Laxmi should teach each one of us an important lesson on how to care for animals like we care for people. Swetta Keswani
TV actress
I wish people would drive more carefully. I have seen people hurting cats, dogs and cows on the street, and now an elephant. It's pathetic. A crowded city is definitely not a place for an animal like an elephant. At least loads of people showed up for support but it was too late. http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2006/september/144076.htm |
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