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By:

Minal Sancheti

2 May 2026 at 12:26:53 pm

Funeral for animals

Mumbai: On the occasion of National Animal Rights Day, a funeral was held for all the voiceless creatures that humans have killed for selfish reasons. The act was a campaign and was a brainchild of Animal Climate and Health in collaboration with Our Planet Theirs Too. The purpose was to spread awareness about animal cruelty. The campaign took place at Carter Road Amphitheatre and so a crowd of both young and old supported the cause. Speaking about animal cruelty, recently the internet was...

Funeral for animals

Mumbai: On the occasion of National Animal Rights Day, a funeral was held for all the voiceless creatures that humans have killed for selfish reasons. The act was a campaign and was a brainchild of Animal Climate and Health in collaboration with Our Planet Theirs Too. The purpose was to spread awareness about animal cruelty. The campaign took place at Carter Road Amphitheatre and so a crowd of both young and old supported the cause. Speaking about animal cruelty, recently the internet was flooded with a viral video of a group of men at Mira Road taking a piglet to a locality where goats were brought for religious sacrifice. Aparjita Ashish, the founder and director of Animal Climate and Health said, “It is an act of cruelty to kill animals for religious sacrifice but to protest against this they were harassing a baby pig. The poor pig was screaming for his life. So how’s that right? If you want to protest, protest peacefully.” Ashish also comments on the Apex Judiciary’s decision of euthanising terminally ill dogs, “If the dog has a serious illness like rabies and is in a lot of pain, with a doctor’s permission and in a peaceful manner, they should be euthanised. The apex court also spoke about the ABC or animal birth control which if done with correct procedures, can help bring down issues related to the stray dogs. Many times the process is wrong so the animals become subject to cruelty.” She even added that the strays should not be displaced as that will leave them confused. This is also an act of ill treatment. The occasion saw a large number of gatherers. According to the campaigners, being vegan is not just for protecting animals but also for the climate. Ashish explained, “If you see the name of our NGO, it is Animal Climate and Health. So we also talk about the impact of consuming animal products on the environment.” She gives an example of how methane gas is produced because of the dairy animals and how the food and resources to breed animals are so much that it affects the environment. The supporters who participated in the campaign said they also noticed many health benefits of going vegan. Anil Nagpal, a senior citizen and volunteer with the organisation said, “For many years I was going through ill health. I tried every treatment but nothing really helped much. But then someone convinced me to go vegan and since that time my health has improved drastically. After this many people in my circles who used to eat animal products have given up.” When asked what his protein sources are, he said, “I eat lentils and legumes. Vegetables also contain protein.” Ashish claimed that humans have an ego that makes them think they are above animals.

Kazan Summit: BRICS Nations to Push For A Multipolar World

Kazan Summit: BRICS Nations to Push For A Multipolar World

Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa will meet in Kazan, Russia, next week for the 16th BRICS summit, marking a pivotal moment for the bloc. With an expanded roster of members and heightened global interest, the summit is expected to focus on strengthening ties among emerging economies and pushing back against Western-dominated financial and security systems.


Scheduled from October 22 to 24, the summit will engage country leaders in discussions aimed at addressing key international issues. This year's gathering is particularly significant as it follows the inclusion of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE into BRICS earlier this year, marking the first summit of the newly expanded group.


Russia, which holds the BRICS presidency, has invited over two dozen other nations expressing interest in joining the bloc, making it the first “BRICS+” summit. Countries such as Turkey, Algeria, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Bangladesh have either applied or shown interest in joining BRICS, attracted by the prospect of benefiting from stronger trade ties and a collective effort to counterbalance the influence of the U.S. and its allies.


The BRICS bloc currently accounts for 45% of the world’s population and 28% of the global economy. Its influence extends to nearly half of the world’s crude oil production, positioning it as a critical force in shaping the future of global energy markets. These factors have made BRICS increasingly appealing to other countries looking to enhance their strategic autonomy and gain a larger voice in international affairs.

The bloc’s economic agenda has gained momentum in recent years, particularly in the area of intra-BRICS trade. In a statement from the June 2024 BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting, member countries emphasized the increased use of local currencies in trade and financial transactions within the group. From 2017 to 2022, intra-BRICS trade surged by 56%, and the trend accelerated further following Western sanctions on Russia. A report by the Boston Consulting Group noted that trade between BRICS nations has now outpaced their trade with the G7, leading to deeper economic integration among BRICS members.


As BRICS members strengthen their economic ties, they are also working to reduce their reliance on the U.S. dollar. The dollar’s dominance as a global reserve currency has long given Washington significant leverage over the international financial system, particularly through sanctions and export controls. Countries affected by U.S. sanctions, including BRICS leaders Russia and China and new members such as Iran, see reducing the dollar’s influence as essential for protecting their economies from external pressures.


Moreover, many countries view BRICS membership as an opportunity to enhance their representation on the global stage. With the United Nations and other multilateral institutions often criticized for being outdated and ineffective, BRICS provides a platform for emerging economies to push for reforms and greater inclusion in international decision-making.


The timing of this year’s summit is critical. As the United States grapples with challenges to its global leadership, BRICS is positioning itself as an importantplayer in shaping a multipolar world. This shift is expected to have profound implications for international peace, security, and the distribution of global power.


The 2024 BRICS summit will likely be seen as a defining moment for the group and for global politics. As BRICS seeks to assert its influence on the world stage, its growing economic and political clout is reshaping the international order, challenging the long-standing dominance of Western powers. While the road ahead is fraught with challenges, the summit in Kazan marks a significant step toward a more multipolar world, where emerging economies are determined to play a larger role in shaping global governance.


(The author is a senior journalist based in Islamabad. Views personal.)

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