Kukku Bakhshi, an animal lover, would never have imagined that his concern for stray dogs would fetch him an award. Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, a USA-based Non Government Organisation, conferred him with Shining World Compassion Award, recognising his love for lesser beings, even as the 62-year-old feeds over 250 stray dogs a day.

Bipin Jayantilal Thosani, who represents the NGO in Bombay, said,” Our association decided to award him after reading a report in online edition of Ludhiana Newsline on March 25.” The report mentioned Bakhshi’s love for dogs.

Thosani added, “Ching Hai, the NGO’s founder and a renowned humanitarian, a spiritual teacher and accomplished artist), also appreciated Bakhshi’s efforts. Later, I and my colleague came from Bomaby to confer him with this award. Bakshi is the first person in the state to get this award.”

Bakhshi was awarded with a plaque and $1000.

His day begins at 4 am, as he packs his bags with biscuits, buns and milk packets and leaves for his destination on a rickshaw to feed stray dogs. “I carry 60 bowls with me to give them milk, biscuits and buns. I buy 30 litres of milk and several packets of edibles a day,” Bakhshi said. “I spend nearly Rs 1000 daily to feed these dogs. While sometimes people donate some eatables, mostly I arrange these on my own largely through the pension of my father,” he added.

His love is reflected in the fact that he has assigned a local bakery to prepare special biscuits for dogs, that contains sulphur. Only son of his parents, Bakhshi is unmarried. “A few years ago, I lost my mother and now I stay with my father and take care of him,” he said.

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