He is the founder of PAWS ASIA, an NGO dedicated to the cause of animals. Not only do they ensure well being of animals but are also dedicated to the cause of educating people and sensitizing them towards our dear little friends.
Without further delay I would like to introduce to you all Mr. Nilesh Bhanage, the man behind it all.
Welcome Nilesh. It’s a pleasure to have you with us.
Thank You!
It is my pleasure to be here on Hall of Fame in Orkut!
Thank you so much.
Why don’t we start by learning something about you Nilesh? So tell us something about yourself.
Well…I born & brought-up in Dombivli, a suburb of Mumbai. I work as a secretary to director in Multinational Japanese Company in Ambernath & also devote evening for my charity PAWS.
I started PAWS because of one incidence. During my T. Y. B. Com year, I was flying a kite on a terrace & found a pigeon being attacked by some crows. My brother & I shooed the crows as we wanted to save the pigeon. We brought him home. Unfortunately, the pigeon was turned blind by the crows. I took pigeon to my friend. Anamika’s house; there she had kept lots of rescued animals, with all the efforts, the pigeon died next day. And this incidence filled my heart with grief.
From there I decided to do everything possible in respect of saving and protecting animals.
I started working with her,initially giving aid on roads. This was in 1998…till 2001 I volunteered with NGO’s in Mumbai.. But they had restrictions. So I decided to start PAWS.
So what exactly is it that your NGO does? And what sets it apart from other NGO’s?
PAWS is the only charity in India which is run, managed by youngsters aged 15 to 30.
PAWS activities are.
1. Wildlife Rescue & rehabilitation
2. Adoptions & Re homing
3. Ambulance service for Animals ( 2 Ambulances)
4. Tree Plantation & Environmental Awareness
5. Educational & Awareness programs
6. Anti-Rabies Drive & different Veterinary. camps.
7. Distressed Animals Helpline
8. Rescuers Database management & support to other NGOs
9. Disaster management for Animals & wildlife
10. Sterilization of Strays
11. Cattle rescue & cattle camps.
PAWS stands for plant and animal welfare society. What is it that you do for plants or green life in general?
PAWS is unique NGO because :
Featured in Limca Book of Records as India’s youngest animal rehab team.
Started Thane district’s first ambulance service for animals.
Only charity who organizes maximum camps for animals.
Today PAWS boosts team of 170 young volunteers from different fields like Engineering, Science, Commerce & Arts.
PAWS awarded as NGO of the Month in May 2005 for ‘Outstanding service to the Society’
We do lot of Plantation during rainy season. And file regular complaints against illegal tree cuttings.
On your site it was also mentioned that you try and educate and sensitize people towards animals. I do understand that it is a very important thing to do because educating people about such things can really help to make a difference. How do you go about it?
We have our Awareness In charge Ms. Sonali Bagde, she looks after the awareness programs. She also won best Volunteer of PAWS in year 2004.
To minimize the cruelties inflicted on animals, to sensitize public awareness programs are must. We keep running such programs one by one in school, college and any other institution every month.3 volunteers always carry program.
And what is the response that you get from these programs?
Simply amazing!
Children enjoy films.
They show their interest to join PAWS and whenever we talk about animal welfare young people want to join immediately.
So how has orkut contributed to the success of PAWS and has it also helped generate any awareness among people?
Checkout our Video of young team of PAWS in MTV’s Youngistan India..
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=9HigxbMqfh0
Help of Orkut:
1. Our videos, photo update can be seen by everyone.
2. We use the links in our newsletters.
3. Great free site for information sharing.
4. Gave contacts of donors – who can see our work in photos through orkut.
Did PAWS help out in any way during the incident that took place in Bangalore where street dogs were brutally killed? And what is your say on the things that happened?
PAWS was not involved directly with this case but we did follow-up with Bangalore NGO’s like CUPA.
Well my last question to you is what are your future plans for PAWS? How do you plan to expand???
We are in process of opening of our new animal hospital soon in suburbs of Mumbai. That is my Aim & future plan.
That sure is a great plan. Wishing you all the very best with all your endeavors and thank you once again for this interview.
Thank you & my best wishes to this community for the unique Endeavour!
{ 4 comments }
Dear Nilesh,
Are you aware of the cruelty that goes on in China. Every year over 2000 000 cats and dogs are skinned alive and endure an excrutiating and slow death. There is an organisation called Animal savior.org. The more people that sign the online petition, the better, to stop this horrendous act of cruelty. I have signed it and I urge everyone else to do the same.
I was unaware of this up until last Friday when a friend told me about it. I don’t know where abouts this organisation is but would love to contact them.
I am an animal lover.
Jackie
Thank you for your feedback & info.
I will definatley do it as per your wish!
Regards,
Nilesh
Hi Nilesh Bhanage im a animal lover.I want to start animal welfare in chennai. i didnt know how to start animal welfare ngo , so tell some guiden to start plz ,this is my long term plan and aim also
@ Thanu
Instead of taking so much effort to start a ‘new’ NGO, why not help the existing NGOs in Chennai? Chennai NGOs like PfA, Blue Cross, AWPT, SPCA need lot of help . . .