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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.

The Difference Between Being Rich and Looking Rich

The real question is whether income builds assets or merely funds appearances.

Bharath was 29 years old, working at a reputed multinational company in Pune with an annual package of Rs 24 lakh. Among friends and relatives, he was considered highly successful. He drove a luxury car purchased on EMI, upgraded his phone every year, travelled frequently, and regularly posted pictures of expensive cafés and vacations on social media.


From the outside, Bharath looked rich. During a financial consultation, however, a different picture emerged. A substantial portion of his monthly income went toward car EMIs, personal loans, credit card bills, rent, dining, and lifestyle spending. Despite earning well for several years, his investments were minimal. He had no emergency fund, inadequate insurance coverage, and almost no retirement planning.


In accounting terms, Bharath’s income statement looked impressive, but his balance sheet was weak.


Illusion of Wealth

Around the same time, another client, Sameer, visited for tax planning. Sameer earned significantly less than Bharath — around Rs 11 lakh annually. He did not own a luxury car and avoided unnecessary debt. Instead, he consistently invested part of his income into mutual funds, maintained emergency reserves, and purchased adequate health and term insurance early.


Five years later, the financial gap between the two had grown wider than their income gap. Bharath continued earning more, but much of his income went toward maintaining a lifestyle. Sameer, despite a modest salary, had built financial security, a stable investment portfolio, and a growing net worth.


This difference reflects an important reality that Chartered Accountants frequently observe — income creates lifestyle, but assets create wealth.


Many individuals today mistake spending capacity for financial strength. In reality, wealth is not determined by what a person displays publicly but by what they own after liabilities are deducted. A luxury vehicle financed through long-term debt may improve social perception, but financially it remains a depreciating asset with recurring obligations.


The rise of instant credit and EMI-based consumption has further blurred the distinction between affordability and accessibility. Just because a person qualifies for a loan does not mean the purchase strengthens their financial position.


True Financial Health

From a Chartered Accountant’s perspective, true financial health is measured not by outward displays of wealth but by fundamentals such as a steadily growing net worth, disciplined investing, controlled liabilities, adequate liquidity and insurance coverage, and long-term capital creation. These indicators may not always be socially visible, but they determine long-term financial stability.


Bharath’s story is no longer unusual. Across urban India, many young professionals are earning more than previous generations, yet carrying greater financial pressure because lifestyle expansion has overtaken asset creation.


Cost of Appearances

The real difference between being rich and looking rich ultimately comes down to one question: Is income being used to build assets or merely to fund appearances?


(The writer is a Chartered Accountant based in Thane. Views personal.)

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