When we think of dogs, we picture wagging tails, wet noses, and boundless affection. But hidden behind the glossy windows of pet shops and Instagram-perfect puppy photos is a dark and disturbing reality — one of illegal breeding, neglected animals, and systemic cruelty.

In this powerful episode, we speak with Alokparna Sengupta, a trailblazer in India’s animal welfare movement and the Managing Director of Humane World for Animals – India (formerly Humane Society International/India). With over 15 years of tireless advocacy, Alokparna shares eye-opening insights into the cruel underbelly of the pet industry and the ongoing battle to reform it through rescue operations, policy change, and public education.

This is a conversation about compassion, accountability, and the urgent need to protect our most voiceless companions.

Discussion Highlights

• What constitutes illegal pet breeding and sales in India — and why it’s more widespread than you think
• Disturbing real-life cases from the field that expose systemic cruelty

• Why buying pets online or from pet shops often fuels a cycle of exploitation

• The role of legislation and how effective current laws really are

• The post-pandemic spike in pet abandonment and its underlying causes

• Tips for ethical pet adoption and how to be a responsible pet parent

• Humane World India’s holistic approach: rescue, rehab, reform, and education

• A deep dive into the #NoMore50 campaign and how you can be part of a historic push for stronger animal protection laws in India

If you love animals, you can’t afford to miss this one.

From the dusty lanes of Telangana to national acclaim, Gaddam Sammaiah used Chindu Yakshaganam not just as performance—but as protest, awareness, and preservation. With 19,000+ shows across villages, he turned folk theatre into a force for social change.

This episode traces the journey of the artist, mentor, and Padma Shri awardee who gave voice to tradition and life to forgotten stages.

About Padma Pride

Padma Pride is an inspiring audio series by The Good Sight and Rise Against Hunger India, celebrating Padma Awardees and their extraordinary impact. Every Sunday, we bring you the story of a changemaker shaping India’s future. (Narration: Shalini Singh, The Good Sight).

💌 We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts at⁠ contact@padmapride.com⁠.

What does it mean to care for a being that can’t speak your language—but feels pain just like you do?

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Ms. Timmie Kumar, Managing Trustee of Help in Suffering (HIS)—a pioneering animal welfare organization in Jaipur that has been transforming lives for over 40 years. From rescuing street dogs to creating India’s first camel rescue centre, HIS has redefined what it means to serve the voiceless with empathy, structure, and purpose.

Discussion Highlights

• 🔹The early spark: What led Timmie ji to dedicate her life to animal welfare

  🔹Founding the Bassi Camel Rescue Centre: unique challenges and unexpected allies

• 🔹How camel owners and communities have evolved over the past two decades

• 🔹Bridging the empathy gap: pet clinics that support street animals

• 🔹The transformative power of loving an animal: what it unlocks in us as humans

• 🔹Why kindness must move beyond sentiment into systems and sustained action

• This episode is a reflection on dignity—for all lives—and the quiet, persistent power of compassion in motion.

  If your organisation is dedicated to driving positive social change, we want to hear from you. Reach out to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Sight⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by emailing us at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ contact@thegoodsight.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with a brief description of your work and achievements, or give us a call at 9696399931.