Occasionally, the jury may decide to give a special award for either a single instance of exceptional merit, the unusual quality of service rendered, or for work done in spite of the difficult economic circumstances of the nominee. This c arries a cash award normally contributed by the jury, a certificate and a statuette.
1999
Sally Walker
Sally Walker, a US national who has made India her second home, has made a significant contribution towards improving the state of Indian zoos. Walker's educational campaigns have taught many zoos how to provide better conditions for animals and influenced thousands of children to be better animal citizens. She started the Conservation and Breeding Specialist Group India - regional network of the CBSG/SSC/IUCN under which she introduced new methods of wildlife assessment, management and conservation.
2000
Chura, Punam Chand Bishnoi, Choga Ram Bishnoi
Chura is an expert in setting broken bones and in animal healing. He is an unlettered itinerant traditional healer whose work in animal welfare spans the past four decades. He treats his patients without monetary compensation and his work has benefited hundreds of animals. A master of a vanishing art, his contribution to animal welfare is unique and inspirational. Poonam Chand Bishnoi and Chogga Ram Bishnoi helped in apprehending a group of celebrities engaged in poaching. This incident got national media attention in late 1998 as it involved the hunting of chinkaras and blackbucks by famous film stars. Considering the celebrity status of the accused, both these men have been under tremendous pressure. However, their commitment to wildlife remains strong.
2001
Keshrimal Jadia
Keshrimal Jadia, a retired peon living in Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh, has dedicated his life to animal welfare and demonstrated great selflessness in donating a sizeable amount from his Provident Fund to set up a trust for animals. Despite economic constraints and advancing age, he works actively to relieve the suffering of animals. Always ready to help animals in distress, wild or domestic, he has single-handedly saved many from being slaughtered.
Saharabi Yusuf Sayyad
Saharabi Yusuf Sayyad, a housewife from Karad,
epitomizes the true meaning of caring for animals. Despite
economic hardships, she rescues, looks after and treats animals,
using her own funds and her small home as a shelter. Thinking
little of her own creature comforts, she spends almost all
the finances she gets from her husband and sons, who are truck
drivers, in looking after over 100 animals living with her.
2002
Shirin R Modi
Shirin R. Modi, a social worker from Mumbai, is a life member of the Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and has been instrumental in the construction of a hospital for animals. Since 1940 she has been working as an animal welfare worker, creating awareness among people and appealing to philanthropic institutions for financial help for sick animals.
B Prudui Raju
B. Prudui Raju, a railway porter at Erragudur Railway Station and an ex-serviceman, has been working with devotion for the cause of animals in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. He has been holding free animal health and vaccination camps and also distributing food to stray animals.
Jaiprakash A Patel
Jai Prakash A. Patil, Range Forest Officer, Dhule, Maharashtra, has been a dedicated forest officer, conserving and preserving the wildlife in forest areas he was posted in. In Chalisgaon Game Sanctuary, he fearlessly stopped all the illegal grazing and all encroachment in the forest areas. He has also effectively tackled poaching by local tribals and snake-charmer shows in these areas.
2003
Edna Simmons
Septuagenarian Edna Simmons has spent half her life in feeding, nursing, treating and taking care of stray dogs and cats in the Colaba area of Mumbai where she lives. She ensures that these animals are well looked after, are rabies free, and sterilised in time. Being financially strapped herself has not deterred her. She climbs up and down 105 rickety stairs everyday, tips the ambulance attendants when required, and knows each of her wards by sight.
2004
Abrar Quereshi
Abrar Quereshi is perhaps the only animal rights and welfare activist who belongs to a community of butchers. His stand has lead him to numerous confrontations with his own community to the extent that they have made attempts on his life and even broken both his legs. Mr. Quereshi has been instrumental in rescuing hundreds of thousands of cattle from illegal slaughter houses. He has also worked against wildlife trade. His organisation, "People who care for Animals", has the patronage of Jain, Gujjar and Marwari communities. What keeps him going, he says, is the mental peace that he gets from looking into the eyes of animals he has helped rescue.
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