The Diplomat star and PETA India’s first celebrity supporter, John Abraham, was the honored guest at the recent 25th anniversary celebration of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, which included a Beatles-themed high tea at Taj Palace. In front of guests, including Pooja Bhatt and Anita Dongre, PETA India named Abraham the organization’s first honorary director in appreciation of his years of unwavering animal advocacy. Poorva Joshipura, the director of PETA India, presented the award, and Ingrid Newkirk, the founder of PETA entities around the world, gave an insightful speech.

John’s numerous acts of compassion for animals include advocating for pigs illegally killed in backyards, urging the Centre to outlaw animal acts in circuses, successfully urging e-retailer Quikr to stop allowing live animals to be traded on its platform, pleading with the Nepali government to stop the cruel elephant ‘games’ at the Chitwan Festival, participating in an eye-popping campaign to raise awareness of the suffering of elephants used for tourist rides, donating his Kaun Banega Crore winnings, and a community dog, has also been adopted by John. In 2020, John was also recognized as PETA India’s Person of the Year. 

John Abraham said, “I am grateful for this amazing honor and now look forward to supporting PETA India’s vital work over the next 25 years. I have remained steadfastly committed to animal protection since I first supported PETA India in 2000”.

PETA India Vice President Sachin Bangera said, “John Abraham never turns down a chance to advocate for animals: From working to end cruel circus animal acts to rescuing a desi dog, John’s massive star power is rivaled only by the size of his heart. We are honored to have John as our first honorary director, and we urge everyone to speak up when they witness animals in need, just like John did”.

John is the first well-known person to be appointed as a PETA India honorary director. In addition to Pamela Anderson, James Cromwell, Anjelica Huston, and others, he joins an esteemed and exclusive group of honorary directors of PETA entities overseas.

For more information, visit PETAIndia.com.

Priyanka Dutta