Chandra Shekhar Dey is just like any other middle aged individual that you may find in your locality. But what sets him apart from the others is in the fact that he cares about the street/ stray dogs in the locality unlike many others. The man has been relentlessly involved in this activity of feeding and taking care of the stray dogs for the past ten years. The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the man and got to know important facts about the man and his work. Excerpts..

You are involved with feeding stray dogs for the past ten years. How much area do you cover?

Chandra Shekhar Dey- South Dum Dum Municipality has 35 wards. I feed the dogs in these 35 wards.

How did you decide to start this initiative of feeding stray dogs?

Chandra Shekhar Dey- My daughter was feeding dogs one day near Motijheel. Some people protested against this. They said that the dogs will litter or dirty the roads. This troubled me and I started feeding the dogs myself. And now I can proudly say that I feed 425 dogs. This is a tiring job but very satisfying indeed. I have kept some people to help me out now. Otherwise it is not possible for a single person to do such huge amount of work.

The love of the dogs is unconditional. Such is the love that whatever happens, I have to come and feed them. I believe that once you look in a dog’s eyes, you are hypnotized by their love. That is what has happened with me. I am addicted towards them.

What do you feed them?

Chandra Shekhar Dey- I feed them rice and boiled chicken. I have four hundred bowls for the dogs too. I asked a person to wash the bowls and he wants two thousand rupees for the cleaning. Just imagine!! The man even asked me to pay more as he would be washing dishes from which dogs have eaten.

How do you get the financial help for this huge initiative?

Chandra Shekhar Dey- My two daughters, my son-in-law, my sister who stays in London and another sister-in-law all support my work by providing the necessary financial help. I never ask anything from them but they give the money on their own. I have also started a trust Obola for the street dogs on 9^th June, 2017. The trust is registered lawfully and one can donate money to the trust. The amount that they will be giving will be tax exempted and we provide the people with the necessary documentation too. Aparna Majumdar and Dr Anita Sinha have been helping me with different kinds of work for the trust.

What is your future plans regarding street dogs?

Chandra Shekhar Dey- I will have to find a place where we can cook the meals for the dogs. The office where we work now at P-27, Motijheel Avenue, Kolkata-74 can only be used for paper work. We need a place where we can cook food for the dogs. I also want to open a rescue centre so that we can help the dogs whenever they are in any need.

Kudos to Chandra Shekhar Dey for doing such an exemplary work and setting such a fine example for the society!!