Sterilization centre shut, dogs cry for shelter

The dog sterilization centre in Sector 27 Vashi has been closed from past 15 days because of the bad condition of the building. The corporation had given the sterilization centre to In Defense of Animals (IDA) an NGO on contract basis on 26th July 2006 but one month back, the centre received a notice from the corporation to shut the centre and stop bringing animals for treatment or operation at the centre.

“Immediately after getting the notice we stopped operating animals at the centre but started a new van service for animals from 8th September. Whenever we get calls on the helpline number 9320056585/ 32681419 we take the van to that area along with the medicines and treat them on the spot. But we have only one van and we get atleast 10 calls daily. Therefore it becomes difficult to reach every place,” informed Dr Pradeep Londhe, IDA doctor at Vashi centre. “Earlier we used to bring the animals after treating them but now due to no space, we have to leave them where we treat them,” he added.

When contacted NMMC Health officer Dr Paropkari to know whether the corporation has provided any alternative place to IDA, he said, “NMMC has not given them any other place and I have no idea when the work will begin.”

Goodicia Vaidya, Manager of IDA centre, Deonar informed, “Other than Vashi we have a centre at Deonar and Lonawala where we not only treat injured animals but also keep them till they completely recover and get well. Now as the Vashi centre is shut, we feel helpless many times. People call us with a hope to help the needy animals but we are unable to help every caller. Even we need help from NMMC as we require a centre at some other place in Navi Mumbai so that we can treat the city animals and provide them shelter as it becomes difficult to carry them from Navi Mumbai to Deonar.”

Due to the poor condition of the building, there is a fear of the slab falling and injuring anybody. Hence the centre is closed but when the reconstruction work of the building will begin is a question for the IDA doctors as well as NMMC officers.

Artificial Rangoli- a new way of decorating your doorstep

Festival means celebration which brings along a lot of preparations. Diwali has arrived and everybody is busy preparing for the festive like making special Diwali food items, purchasing decoratives for homes, buying new clothes etc. And one such important factor is making Rangoli, which is done at every door step during Diwali.

There is a unique relationship between the festival of Diwali and rangoli as rangoli spreads the joy of colours during the festival of lights. The entire objective of making rangoli in Diwali is to welcome Goddess Laxmi and remarking the day to be extremely auspicious. Rangolis can be of any size, from the size of a doormat, to that of an entire room.

But most of the times people fear that the rangoli they prepare by putting in so much hard work and time doesn not take a moment to get spoiled. Secondly everybody doesnot have so much time to dedicate to the rangoli. Here comes this article in picture which can come to your rescue.

Making rangoli with various powder colours and glitters is the most traditional method but with time, various other types of rangolis can be seen today including stickers, rangoli made out of flowers and artificial rangoli. Artificial Rangoli does not include powder colors and hence the

name.

Mrs Arati Chauhan, a resident of Nerul says, "Artificial Rangoli can be made out of anything like plastic flowers/leaves, dried leaves, lace, live plants, sequences etc. This type of rangoli not only looks beautiful but it also reduces the risk of being spoiled. One can use a plate and decorate it with decoratives (which are mentioned as well as not mentioned above) and then place it on a chavrang, which can be kept anywhere as per a person's wish."

Recently few differently abled people from Sharan, NGO at Vashi also prepared a beautiful artificial rangoli for selling. It was made using card board, colorful papers, tiny mirrors, laces and sequences. It was an eye catching material. (The one on the right)

Hope, this article has given you some idea on how to make an Artificial Rangoli.