Social worker Ashma Begum, known for managing Indian baseball team that won gold at Presidential Cup in Iran, now steps out to feed animals across Guwahati amid coronavirus lockdown
Ashma Begum is the chairperson of International Human Rights Organisation, Northeast chapter Credit: Ashma Begum
The national lockdown amid coronavirus pandemic didn’t just take a toll on humans –animals too were at the receiving end. In order to provide them some relief, Ashma Begum has been taking to the streets of Guwahati in Assam on a regular basisThe initiative began since the nationwide lockdown was announced on March 24 and has been on since then and has covered most parts of GuwahatiOver the last few days, Ashma has covered various arterial areas of the city including Ulubari, Paltanbazar, Bharalumukh, Chandmari and Uzanbazar, among several others Ashma also visited Nabagraha temple that houses a large population of monkeys‘Stray animals depend on people and shops for food. Since the lockdown has been imposed, they do not have any place to go. So, with the help of district administration, I am trying to feed as many of these animals as I can. I will continue to do it as long as the lockdown is imposed,’ Ashma saidThe initiative has also been supported by the special unit of Assam Police who has provided a helping hand in the noble gestureAlong with officials of the special unit of Assam Police, Ashma has been working round the clock to provide food to the stray animalsAshma is also director of sports at University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya. She has also appealed the institution to lend support to her initiative‘I appeal to the people of Guwahati to come forward and feed the stray animals. They can leave the food outside their homes and hang it to their gates and we can collect it from there. This way, we can avoid any contact and follow the precautionary measures while helping the animals,” Ashma said Feeding strays is not an easy task, more so during the lockdown. There are several others like Ashma who have come forward to help them and is garnering appreciation from all corners
