Mr. Ramachandra with Mani
By Tyag Krishnamurthy
It was a damp morning in December last year, moisture lingered in the air after the passing of Cyclone Michaung in Chennai – a megapolis in south India. I made my way to Blue Cross of India, an animal hospital and sanctuary in the heart of the city which was caught in the aftermath of the big storm.
There, volunteers bustled around, tending to the animals that had been rescued in the floods. I was happy to see Mani (a Kanni breed – a rare indigenous South Indian sighthound breed). I had seen him brought in a year ago, after he had been in a road accident after being abandoned by his master – now, as a testament to the care and healing that Blue Cross provides, he looked healthy and happy. The cyclone seemed not to have dimmed his spirits in any way.
Cyclone damage
Looking around though, I could see the damage caused by the cyclone. Everything was flooded, leaving a watermark on buildings and pillars. Rebuilding had already started. There were the sounds of hammers, drills, and serious conversations. I ran into Vinod Kumar – the general manager of the sanctuary who has been with the Blue Cross for many years having earlier served in a leadership position with the Animal Welfare Board of India. I asked him how things were going. He told me about the day of the floods – how the staff, the veterinarians, and volunteers had worked non-stop carrying hundreds of dogs from the lower levels to higher ground – even during the height of the storm.
An opportunity for rebuilding
We talked about repairs that are needed, and I was struck by an idea. Since rebuilding is happening already, this might be a really good time to make some much needed changes in the sanctuary’s infrastructure. The drainage system needs to be better able to handle volumes of water. There seem to be more killer cyclones every year. He had been thinking about this too, and he suggested a plan that would not only safeguard against future floods but would also provide a healthier environment for the animals. He described what appeared to be a full rebuild of the drainage outlets designed to sync with a new stormwater removal system. It made a lot of sense to do this right away.
We were both left feeling more hopeful. Even in the midst of the debris of the cyclone, we could glimpse ways that challenges could be turned into opportunities.
Heroic efforts saved the animals
He talked more about the day of the cyclone – volunteers rushing to save every animal, wading through murky waters, cradling frightened animals to safety, the sounds of distressed barks and the reassuring words of caretakers – the collective will and compassion of people working to save every animal.
Blue Cross is focused now on healing and rebuilding. The animals, so distressed on that day, are now thriving once again in the caring atmosphere at Blue Cross. The dedicated staff continue their mission of caring for the animals.
As I was about to go, I was reminded of the six decades of Blue Cross’s existence. The echoes of the cyclone lingered, the scent of dampness, the hum of rebuilding, and the heartbeat of a sanctuary that stands always steadfast — providing refuge to the voiceless beings who share our world – a refuge where every creature, small or forgotten, finds solace, care, and a chance at a new beginning.
Photo credit: Velu
© Copyright, Forest Voices of India, 2024
