- Children give voice to animals on World Animal Day in honor of great saints St. Francis of Assisi & Sadhu Vaswani
- ‘Jiyo aur Jeene Do’ | ‘Stop all Killing’ | ‘Shoot animals with a camera, not guns’ fill the air in Pune
- Pune Railway Station, Aga Khan Palace, the National War Memorial, the Southern Command, and Sadhu Vaswani Chowk locations
PUNE: The message of compassion rang across Pune as students of the Sadhu Vaswani group of institutions stepped out on October 3 and 4, 2025.
The initiative marked World Animal Day — observed globally on October 4, the anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi, a patron saint of animals — It also echoed the teachings of Sadhu Vaswani, who dedicated his life to compassion towards all living beings.
On October 3, students of St. Mira’s Primary School rallied through key city landmarks, including Pune Railway Station, Aga Khan Palace, the National War Memorial Southern Command, and Sadhu Vaswani Chowk. With handmade placards carrying Save Animals messages and chanting slogans like “Stop All Killing” and “Shoot with cameras, not with guns”, the 8–9-year-olds turned bustling spaces into platforms of awareness. Their energy drew in tourists, commuters, and even uniformed officers, many of whom pledged to observe Meatless Day on November 25 — Sadhu Vaswani’s birth anniversary. Bands, badges, and eco-friendly bags were distributed as symbols of the cause.
The momentum carried into World Animal Day. On October 4, students of St. Mira’s Secondary School in Pune, Sadhu Vaswani Gurukul in Manjri, and Sadhu Vaswani International School in Pradhikaran spread the campaign in their localities. Wearing animal-themed masks and headbands, they echoed the same message through placards and chants, reminding society that compassion begins with everyday choices.
The children proved that the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and Sadhu Vaswani’s call for kindness can inspire action at any age. Their combined efforts over two days turned the city into a living reminder that kindness to animals is the first step toward kindness in society.