Animal Welfare on the Agenda in India – Maneka Gandhi meeting

Last week saw the JMICAWE director Nat Waran meet with Indian Government Minister, Maneka Gandhi, for a discussion about the work Edinburgh is involved with in relation to veterinary education in India, as well as discussing future plans and shared interests.

Although Maneka is currently the Indian Union Cabinet Minister for Women & Child Development in the Government of new Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she is well known for her passion for animal welfare; she was instrumental in creating India’s Animal Welfare Ministry—a first in the world, and serving as its first Minister. As Minister for Animal Welfare, she banned the use of bears, primates and big cats in public performances, developed and championed a National Animal Welfare Institute to impart training in the field, and she has published many books and magazines for all audiences about animal welfare. Maneka remains committed to helping to support activities aimed at education especially for women in rural areas, where animals play such an important part of lives.

Discussions were far ranging and positive, and it was clear that many of the JMICAWE ambitions for improving the lives of animals in India through empowering the veterinary profession with the knowledge and skills they need to be advocates for animal welfare, are shared with her. We look forward to further positive interactions in the future. 

 

Maneka Gandhi
(Image courtesy of: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maneka_Gandhi.jpg)