The joy of saving lives

(A true incident)

3rd March 2024:

A little kitten, yellow with white patches was all alone in a field used for parking cars. (where our car is parked as well) It suddenly appeared here yesterday and meowing loudly and cutely, jumping among the parked cars. I, inclined as I was to take him home, thought it prudent not to do so because it would upset his mother if she was around. I visited the field several times yesterday as well as today but there was no sign of her. Others who are frequent here also reported that they had not seen any adult cat anywhere near and that made me think. The frequent entry and exit of vehicles along with the presence of several ferocious dogs nearby was a major source of concern. Also, the way he trailed behind me, meowing loudly, it seemed he was very hungry. Thus, after discussions with my parents and a gentleman who is a good friend of ours, Mr. Subhankar Chowdhury, who has about 15 rescued cats in his home, we decided that it would be best to capture the kitten and hand it over to uncle. A big basket was taken, along with a bowl of milk and we made our way to the field where the poor little kitten came rushing out and we gave him milk to build up trust. Then we asked him to come into the basket which he did, and the lid was shut. We then took him by car to Subhankar uncle whose house is no more than ten minutes from the field. The kitten was a bit scared at first but calmed down with comforting words. The car made its way to uncle's house and we reached in no time. The basket was taken out and handed over to my uncle who had rushed out to meet us. He calmed the kitten down and gave him food in a short while saying that we had done a great job by bringing it to him. We then returned home. 

This might be one of the few times that I had the opportunity to help a creature in need instead of just leaving it to its fate, which I am sure most would do. My thoughts at this little rescue are such—that the happiness experienced when we get to help a creature is similar to, or much more than that experienced when getting a job, scoring good marks, going somewhere, etc. These instances make it known that we are here on earth for a cause, a cause that must not restrict itself to one's own betterment but also to do good for others. As Swami Vivekananda, who used to live not far from this area, had quoted, 'Jibsebai Sibseba.' (Service to others is service to God) I believe this to be a great personal achievement on my part. Though it is not humanely possible to serve all the needy and stray animals in the entire world, it is surely possible to do my part in my little corner of the world. A dialogue in the movie 12th Fail directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra states, 'If I cannot be the Sun that shines upon the earth, I can still be a lamp and light up my street...'