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.

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Gathering at Ruby Hall Metro Station, they took the train to Civil Court. The 8 to 9-year-old students displayed colorful placards and chanted heartfelt slogans such as “Birds and animals are our brothers and sisters,” “Save animals, Save Earth,” and “Shoot with a camera, not with guns.”

World Animal Day marks the anniversary of St. Francis. The student rally also remembered Pune’s saint, Sadhu Vaswani, who advocated animal rights.

With unwavering enthusiasm, the children, accompanied by dedicated teachers, engaged the commuters, inviting them to pledge to go meatless for at least one day on November 25, the birthday of Sadhu Vaswani.

One student expressed the motivation behind their efforts: “We should stop killing animals for our meals and taking their skin for our dresses. We should rather take care of them, feed them, and love them. I want everyone to do the same.”

The school principal, Ruby Karna, noted the strategic decision to engage with the public in a place where people often have a moment to pause and listen while waiting for their trains and stops. “This not only helps in spreading awareness but also instills in the children the values of kindness and compassion toward all living beings. When they take the extra effort to convince others, they will themselves remember it for a longer time.” the principal added.

The students’ infectious commitment to this cause has undoubtedly made a significant impact, fostering a greater understanding of the need for animal rights and vegetarianism within the community. As they continue to spread their message, the hope remains that more individuals will join in their efforts to create a more compassionate world for all beings.

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PUNE: Asia’s first, ‘Ellie  -The Animatronic Elephant’ is all set to meet her young friends from 19th to 24th March 2024 at Frida Art House at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Yerawada, Pune.  The first-of-its-kind innovative educational initiative is being introduced by city-based Frida Art House in partnership with People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India. There is no entry fee to meet ‘Ellie’, this beautiful animatronic elephant, however, prior registration is recommended.

Speaking about the initiative Shraddha Gite, Founder of Frida Art House said, ‘The idea is to create awareness about animal well-being and welfare. It’s a significant step towards raising awareness and instilling compassion in our younger generations about animals. We want students to join us at Frida Art House as we embark on this mission to make a difference with ‘Ellie- the Animatronic Elephant’ to ignite change and create a brighter future for all living beings.”

Standing tall at 6.5 feet, Ellie is a 12-year-old hyperrealistic captivating creation, a powerful tool designed to engage and educate children about animal welfare. With the enchanting voice of well-known actress Dia Mirza, Ellie offers a unique interactive experience aimed at shedding light on the challenges faced by elephants and the importance of animal rights. Through engaging sessions, Ellie inspires empathy and encourages children to become advocates for animal welfare.

Designed and developed by Prasun Basu, Ellie was developed by seamlessly integrating traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technologies to bring imagination to life in tangible forms. From working with materials like plaster and clay to advanced substances like polyurethane and silicone, Prasun has extended his mastery from traditional sculpting to laser cutting and 3D printing. His versatility transcends various styles, spanning from hyper-realistic to stylized, mechanized, miniature, wearables, and prosthetics. With an adept hand and an innovative mind, Prasun Basu transforms concepts into captivating creations across a spectrum of mediums and aesthetics.

Children can experience ‘Ellie’ 11.30 am-12.30 pm and 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm from 19th to 24th March. Hourly slot booking in advance is recommended to avoid crowding. Each slot accommodates 100 people. For registration please contact: 9767442222 or hello@fridaarthouse.com

Check the video of this beautiful concept on the YouTube link given below

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This brand-new unit will have a BSL3 facility for the manufacture of Drug substances and a Fill-Finish capability for the production of both drug products FMD vaccine and the FMD+HS vaccine.

Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd (TSIIC), a Government of Telangana undertaking had allotted the land to IIL at Biotech Park, Phase III, Karkapatla, Siddipet district in Telangana. The proposed facility has a capacity of 150 million doses/annum of FMD vaccine and  150 million doses/annum of  FMD+HS vaccine each. With an investment of approximately INR 700 Cr, the proposed facility is expected to create more than 750 direct and indirect jobs.

Indian Immunologicals Limited is a subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). In its more than 40 years of journey, IIL has carved a niche space as a leading “One Health” organization, manufacturing animal and human vaccines. IIL also exports its products to more than 60 countries across the globe.

Today the Chairman of NDDB & IIL led the groundbreaking ceremony in the presence of IIL board members, employees, and officials from NDDB. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB and IIL said, “IIL continues to fulfil the purpose for which it was created by NDDB as a world-class vaccine manufacturer. This new vaccine manufacturing facility in Hyderabad is dedicated to the nation and will certainly aid in the eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease in our country. IIL’s ability to discover and manufacture affordable vaccines has saved the exchequer several thousand crores of rupees”.

Dr. K Anand Kumar, Managing Director, IIL said, “We are the largest supplier of FMD vaccine to Government of India’s prestigious Livestock Health Disease Control Programme (LHDCP). We are in an exponential growth phase and expected to grow 40% this year alone. To sustain the momentum, IIL is seriously considering making additional investments in building infrastructure within India and in other emerging geographies including Africa in a manner to develop tools that will help in control and eradication of diseases.”

Indian Immunologicals Limited headquartered in Hyderabad, India is one of the largest producers of vaccines in Asia. IIL was set up by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in 1982. IIL has multiple GMP manufacturing sites and exports to over 50 countries. IIL has a strong R&D pipeline and has launched several animal and human vaccines in the Indian market at affordable prices. IIL specializes in the development of various types of vaccines ranging from inactivated and live viral vaccines, polysaccharide conjugate vaccines, recombinant subunit vaccines, toxoid vaccines, and live bacterial vaccines.

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NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala today launched the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative and World Bank-funded Animal Health System Support for One Health to enhance India’s preparedness and response to potential animal pandemics, in line with the One Health approach. This initiative aims to enhance India’s preparedness and response to animal pandemics, with a focus on zoonotic diseases that pose a threat to both animal and human health. This initiative will help to improve veterinary services and infrastructure, disease surveillance capabilities, early detection, and response, build the capacity of animal health professionals, and awareness among farmers through community outreach.

The event also saw the launch of the World Bank-funded project on “Animal Health System Support for One Health (AHSSOH)” which aims at creating an ecosystem for a better animal health management system using the One Health approach covering five (05) states in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Cabinet Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said, “India is home to a diverse animal species, and the livestock sector plays a critical role in the country’s economy and food security. However, we are also vulnerable to threats posed by emerging and zoonotic diseases. The Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative is a proactive step to protect our animal resources and ensure the safety and health of our people. The Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative and the World Bank-funded “Animal Health System Support for One Health” are comprehensive efforts to address animal pandemics in a holistic manner. By strengthening our animal health systems and implementing the One Health approach, we can better prevent and control zoonotic diseases, which not only impact the health and welfare of our animals but also have a significant economic impact and human health concerns.”

Addressing the gathering, Dr. L. Murugan, Hon’ble Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said “The launch of the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) and Animal Health System Support for One Health (AHSSOH) project is a step closer to addressing the animal pandemic and preparedness to handle any unknown infections in future. By working together to implement One Health initiatives, we can promote sustainable and healthy fisheries that benefit both people and the environment.”

Addressing the gathering, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, stated “In order to move towards preparing the system for meeting any pandemic-like exigency, various actions are to be coordinated including strengthening of the surveillance of disease, creating models for disease forewarning, improving R&D ecosystem and diagnostic capacities, streamlining regulatory ecosystem, providing better responses in the field and mobilizing resources. DAHD has initiated important changes for improving livestock systems and programs in the country. Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative or APPI is one such initiative to cover all aspects of disease prevention, control, and pandemic preparedness comprehensively. The key elements include Integrated disease surveillance & monitoring, early warning & response, Vaccine/ diagnostics, R&D and production, and ecosystem coordination with funding and regulatory framework enablers.”

At the event Bulletin/Publication of One Health Support Unit was released and APPI and AHSSOH Videos were launched. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof (Dr). Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, MoH & FW, Mr. Oliver Braedt, Head, Agriculture and Food Global Practice, World Bank, and Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, DAHD were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion. The event saw the participation of nearly 200 key stakeholders from different cross sections including representatives from International Organizations (WHO, WB, FAO, WOAH, UNEP), concerned Ministries, Animal Health experts from Research Institutes of ICAR and ICMR, and other Government stakeholders. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, (DAHD), Government of India is committed to the successful implementation of the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative and the World Bank-funded Animal Health System Support for One Health and looks forward to working with all stakeholders towards this important goal.

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