West Bengal, 13 February (H.S.): A district-level programme was organized in Hooghly district on Friday to mark World Rabies Day and Animal Welfare Fortnight 2025–26. The program was held at Jirat Colony High School, Balagarh Block. The event was jointly organized by the Animal Husbandry and Animal Resources Development Department, Hooghly, and the Hooghly Zilla Parishad.

According to a press release issued by the Hooghly District Information and Culture Department on Friday evening, the objective of World Rabies Day is to raise public awareness about the deadly but 100% preventable disease of rabies, to emphasize the importance of dog vaccination, and to emphasize the need for timely treatment. The day is celebrated globally in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Rabies Control and the World Health Organization. The goal is to reduce dog-borne human rabies deaths to zero by 2030.

Meanwhile, Animal Welfare Fortnight is observed every year from January 14th to 29th, with the aim of preventing cruelty to animals, ensuring their health, safety, and welfare, and fostering sensitivity and responsibility towards animals in society. During this period, people are also raised awareness about the prevention of cruelty to animals.

On February 13th, as part of this program, roadside dogs were vaccinated against rabies in four areas of Balagarh block—around the Block Primary Health Center, the Balagarh Police Station area, the Jirat College crossing, and the Jirat Colony High School area. An awareness rally was also organized involving school students, and a discussion meeting was held on this topic at Jirat Colony High School.

Ranjan Dhara, Chairman, Hooghly Zilla Parishad, and Nirmalya Chakraborty, Chairman (Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Standing Committee), were present at the event. Professor Dr. Tapan Kumar Mandal, the keynote speaker, elaborated on rabies control and animal welfare.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey