For the sake of animal welfare

In a country where we have thirty-four per cent people living below poverty line, establishing an organisation for the betterment of animals is a new and unexpected thought. Animals are part of the nature and their role is unquestionable when it comes to maintain the balance of ecosystem.

With the rise of machines, a more mechanical thinking process has stationed in the minds of almost every individuals, forsaking emotions and substituting it with self-benefit maximisation. Amidst all these notions, we come across many aspiring individuals who are trying to make a change by enforcing humanity with their work. Salma Sultana (27) is no exception.

Salma is a Veterinarian who completed her undergraduation from the Veterinary and Animal Science University, Chittagong, in 2012. Since her student life, she has been a witness to the maltreatment of animals in our society. "Vets are often not appreciated for their work as many think that this is a sub-standard profession," shares Salma.   

Sad and disheartened, Salma was puzzled about her future and applied for the position of a Community-based Dairy Veterinary Officer at the Institute of Farming and Agriculture, Bangladesh. She had only worked there for five months as she aimed to alter these negative notions regarding her profession. "The journey began in 2014 after I completed my graduation. I wanted to make a Veterinary Training Institute. The very first door I knocked on was the Karigori Shikkha Board. They appreciated the concept and said that they will give me the permission if I manage to show them a well detailed plan of the project."

Demra, located on the outskirts of the capital with over five hundred animal farms, was chosen to be the best possible location for this institution. The board approved their petition in 2015. Thus, twenty-seven students came forward and got themselves enrolled to pursue this different yet inspiring academic choice.

Besides raising awareness regarding conservation of livestock, this institute also plans to deal with illegal animal smuggling and unnatural deaths caused due to inappropriate activities. They want to take legal action against the accused ones as it is a heinous crime and not different from a human murder. They have also built a shelter and this shelter provides living place, proper food and medical facilities for stray dogs and cats.

Salma has struggled a lot to establish the organization. To reduce the cost, she did most of the work by herself. From making posters to create awareness in the rural areas or to work in field for campaign -- she was everywhere. Her book "Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology" (Veterinary Anatomy O Physiology) makes thing easier for the rural dwellers.