Animal protection group goes Bolly way

Nov 3, 2008 IANS

Chandigarh, Nov 3 (IANS) Bollywood sells. A non-profit animal protection organisation is holding an exhibition cum sale here of Bollywood posters of films ranging from the classic "Aawara" to the recent hit "Chak De! India" to raise funds for their movement.

People for Animals (PFA) has organised the three-day exhibition cum sale of Bollywood posters named 'Divas Unveiled' here at the Government Museum and Art Gallery from Nov 1 to 3.

There is an exceptional incorporation of posters of both old and new movies, ranging from Hindi films made in 1930s to recent blockbusters.

"PFA conducts various fund raising exhibitions, auctions and competitions throughout the country but this is for the first time that we have organised such an exhibition," Payal Sodhi, founder trustee of the Chandigarh unit of PFA told IANS.

"Initially it was a difficult task for us to collect these rare posters but after a long hunt, we were able to get these posters from two production houses based in Mumbai. Now, whatever money we collect from this sale will be directly utilized for the activities of PFA," Sodhi said.

Sodhi added: "The remaining posters will be sent back to Mumbai. These posters are priced between Rs.2,000 and Rs.7,500."

There are over 120 posters of yesteryears' blockbusters like "Barsaat", "Aawara", "Boot Polish", "Azaad", "Kati Patang", "Gambler" and recent hits like "Om Shanti Om", "Devdas", "Lagaan", "Chak De! India" and "Don".

"PFA has become the voice for the speechless animals. We are in full support for this fund raiser," said Ram Niwas, home secretary, Chandigarh after visiting the exhibition.

"A visit to this exhibition is a treat for Hindi movie lovers. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and consider this exhibition an effective way to stimulate people to help in a noble cause," said Akanksha Sethi, a visitor to the exhibition.

PFA, Chandigarh was adjudged the best PFA unit for the year 2007 for its outstanding work from among 165 PFA units functioning across the country.

PFA here treats around 6,000 animals from the region every year.

"We have two ambulances to cater to Chandigarh and its adjoining areas and these are operational 24x7. Our services are totally free," Sodhi said.

"We have a well-equipped animal hospital with full time doctors and helpers where we treat animals like monkeys, cats, dogs, snakes, birds, horses, cows and others. We are also running an animal birth control centre and organise animal treatments camps at various places at regular intervals," Sodhi said.

About their animal birth control centre, Sodhi said: "We are against the killing of street dogs and at our animal birth control centre, we run a sterilization programme for them. Street dogs are caught, operated, tagged, vaccinated, and finally returned to their respective original areas."

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Chak De India