A different act

Some TV celebs are seen only on the telly, inches deep in pancake. Others are spotted on page 3, vigorously working the party circuit. And then, there are those few who spend their spare time working for those that you and me wouldn't spare a second glance to! Anju Mahendroo and Poonam Narula along with animal rights activist Bhavin Gathani formed the Animal Lovers Association Society (ALAS) a year ago to protect and create awareness of animal rights. Anju, who is soon to make her appearance in Swaarth on Zee feeds 300 dogs a day in Juhu. "I love animals. I have 12 dogs in my house. I wanted to channelise my energy in caring for them and protecting them," she says. She is the trustee of ALAS and is also associated with NGOs like Karuna and People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). "I strive to ensure that the ailing dogs in my vicinity do not go without medication when they are ill," says Anju. "The unfortunate part is that medicines or an ambulance are not easily available for these animals," she expresses her concern. Poonam Narula is hardly the vamp she portrays in Kkusum. She joined in the formation of ALAS because of her undying love for animals. "I used to call up NGOs asking for their aid to tend to a sick dog when I saw one. But often I was told that the ambulance was not free. This annoyed me and led me to take the onus to set up an NGO myself," she explains. The pretty Shilpa Saklani, Ganga of Kyunki..... is an animal lover too. She says, "I have plenty of dogs who shelter below my building. I love to feed them and play with them." Whenever she comes across a dog that is not feeling well or is suffering, she calls up ALAS for their aid to nurse the dog. Spending time with these dogs is a routine with Shilpa. "I do not have to set aside time or make any extra effort to tend to them," she says, expressing her own desire to set up a big shelter for stray animals. Jaya Bhattarchya, pompous Payal in Kyunki... has three dogs and a cat at home. She even had a goat called Bambi. Her pets are very dear to her. Yet, she finds time to feed dogs on the street. Jaya wishes to build an animal hospital when she has the money and manpower to build one too. Actresses too set their foot on social activism. Veteran actress Sukanya Kulkarni, last seen in Tumhari Disha on Zee TV runs a personality development workshop for small children and middle aged women in Mumbai. "I guide the small children to become responsible human beings. Today, one comes across professionally successful people, but civilized and sensitive people are becoming rare species." She tries to imbibe culture in the children through drama and theatre. Her workshops have proved to be of help to make the children realise their responsibilities. Having worked with children, she developed the desire to help the home makers and started 'Samvadini'. "There are some women who feel lonely and neglected during their middle age. I extended the personality development workshop for the benefit of such women." The confidence that these women have developed has motivated her to consider holding this workshop for the corporate sector and suggests introduction in the school curriculum as well. Kunika, seen last in Kahanii Ghar Ghar Kii, and Lipstick is involved in creating AIDS awareness since 16 years. She is actively involved with an NGO called CHIPS (Children in Pain). She believes celebrities can make a difference, because they have a fan following. They can lead the crowd to live meaningful lives. "Social work is something that should come from the heart," she firmly believes.