People cruel to animals are dangerous to society 

In the recent months it poured heavily during the winter season, while the hilly regions experienced too much snowfall. The kind of rainfall that was expected in the rainy months, happened again and again in winters. Strange changes are taking place in the climate. The things that we used to read in the books and newspapers or hear in the radio programmes or seminars, about changes in environment and climate, are becoming a reality in our lives now. For example, winters witnessed unseasonal rains and too much snowfall; while we are experiencing rise in temperatures in April only. Even the multilayered snow has vanished from the Kedarnath Dham. No action was required to remove the snow from the Kedarnath temple premises, as it had already melted out on its own. There is a similar view of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham also, where there is no snow in view. This is certainly the effect of global warming. Fortunately, the world is now taking interest in electric vehicles and people are turning away from organic fuels like petrol and diesel. Carbon emissions can be reduced only by adopting alternative and renewable sources of energy. By the way, many measures will have to be taken, like planting more and more trees, increasing forest area, promoting vegetarian food and choosing alternative sources of energy like solar energy, wind energy instead of coal and gases.
 
With the rise in temperature, birds and street animals have started having difficulty in finding drinking water and food. On the first day of Navratri, Prime Minister Naendra Modi appealed to the people by tweeting that the worship of Maa Durga will be considered complete only when you offer food and water to at least nine needy families and street animals having no shelter. There is so much left over rice, bread and other food items in the kitchens every day that can be useful for the stray animals. You will get immense satisfaction if you give it to some hungry stray dog or cow. All living beings are created by God, so have compassion for all the voiceless creatures. Believe me, such good deeds can increase the points in your karma bank and you will feel happiness. Like always, famous standup comedian Kapil Sharma also appealed to his viewers at the end of his show to keep some water, grains and food in a pot for the birds and homeless dogs outside the house.
 
If birds do not find drinking water in summer, they start dying. Similarly, street dogs are dependent on humans for their survival. Remember, a person who is cruel to animals can be dangerous to humans as well. One needs to beware of such cruel people. Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama says that "killing animals for sport, for pleasure, for adventure, and for skin or fur is a disgusting and disturbing act. There is no point in engaging in such acts of cruelty." Hollywood actor Richard Gere says that "As protectors of the earth, it is our responsibility to treat all species with kindness, love and compassion. Cruelty to these animals is beyond comprehension. Help stop this madness."

(Writer is a senior journalist & columnist)