John Abraham to India – Let birds fly free

John Abraham to India – Let birds fly free

Manpower India joins hands with PETA and John Abraham to request for no more caged birds

Mumbai – Standing tall, his sculpted body silhouetted against the blue sky, model-turned-actor John Abraham holds an empty birdcage this Independence Day, asking for independence for caged birds as well. John Abraham has always been among the first to stand up for the rights of animals, whatever it takes – whether that means slapping an errant tonga-wallah for whipping his overloaded horse or stuffing himself into a birdcage to pose for a PETA ad. The ad was shot by animal-friendly photographer Alan Abraham.

Under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972, it is illegal to trap or trade in all indigenous birds. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species restricts the trade of foreign birds. However, even though India has some of the best laws protecting these colourful and intelligent beings, black markets thrive openly in most parts of the country, involving 300 of India’s 1,200 species. One can still find muniyas being sold at road signals, and quack astrologers stuff gentle parrots into wooden boxes to help them “tell the future”.

There is no such animal as a “cage bird”. All caged birds are either captured or captive-bred. No bird was born to be in a cage. In the wild, these beautiful beings are never alone, and if separated even for just a moment, they call wildly to their flock mates. Flock-oriented, they preen each other, fly together, play and share egg-incubation duties. Many species of birds mate for life and share parenting tasks. Most birds will not take a second mate in the wild if their first is lost.

On the occasion of India’s 60th Independence Day, Manpower India, the market leader in employment services joins hands with PETA India to create awareness for freedom for all, humans and animals alike.

“As we near the 60th Independence Day it is time for us to include a few more friends in our celebrations. Its time to get united and be socially responsible citizen in our thoughts, deeds and actions. Lets mark the occasion by spreading the message of freedom for all” says Tarun Bali, Executive Director, Manpower India.

“Independence Day should spell freedom for all – humans and animals alike”, says John who is an ardent supporter of PETA. “Birds aren’t meant to learn silly human words or swing in a cage. They are supposed to roam free in the skies and sing songs for each other.”

WHO WILL BE CROWNED WORLD’S CUTEST VEGETARIANS...Kareena???

WHO WILL BE CROWNED WORLD’S CUTEST VEGETARIANS IN PETADISHOOM POLL?

From Kareena Kapoor to Anil Kumble, From Bollywood to Hollywood, It’s Time to Cast Your Vote at petaDishoom

Mumbai – Not to be outdone by its US affiliate, peta2 – which last year crowned rocker Benji Madden and Hollywood actor Natalie Portman as the king and queen of hot vegetarians in a contest that generated tens of thousands of votes from around the world – petaDishoom, PETA India’s Youth Division, is holding its very own, first-ever Cutest Vegetarians Alive contest at www.petaDishoom.com.

So many celebrities have made the healthy and compassionate decision to go vegetarian that there’s someone for everybody. If Bollywood is your bag, a vote for the hazel-eyed beauty Kareena Kapoor could be an ideal choice. Turning to Hollywood, Ocean’s Eleven star Casey Affleck and award-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix are great choices if you’re looking for veggie vitality. If music lights your fire, you might cast your ballot for either lifelong vegetarian Joss Stone or soulful Sufi rock goddess Shibani Kashyap, who only recently went vegetarian as a matter of conscience but says she already feels better and that her singing has improved!

What’s the secret to cricket great Anil Kumble’s long-term success? Could be that he kicked the meat habit decades ago. One look at model Shamita Singha and it’s no wonder she was crowned Miss India Earth 2001. Shamita encourages everyone to go vegetarian and says once you try it, “I’m sure you wouldn’t want to eat meat ever again”. Sure to rake in his share of votes is Pentagram vocalist Vishal Dadlani, who went vegetarian in 1993 “specifically because I like animals”, he says. So does matinee idol R Madhavan, who says, “It’s simple: I love animals, so I don’t eat them”.

Other caring candidates include INXS band member JD Fortune, the Bombay Rockers’ Naf, Hollywood beauty Alicia Silverstone, Moby, Prince, Mahima Chaudhary, Rajneesh Duggal, Pink, Pamela Anderson, Prodigy and Stella McCartney.

For the complete list of celebrities and to vote, please visit www.petaDishoom.com.

Rahul Khanna PETA wallpaper