Sally Varma (born 28 December 1984) is an Indian animal welfare activist. She is known primarily for her animal welfare activities in the Indian state of Kerala.[1] She works with the Humane Society International[2] India, in spreading awareness among public and government representatives on animal welfare. In 2016, Sally was recognized as one of the 100 women achievers in India in the category of Animal Welfare by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India [3] and in 2019, she was selected as one of the 50 influential people in Kerala by the KeralaInsider portal.[4]
Animal welfare work
Sally worked as a volunteer with PAWS Thrissur, an animal welfare organization in the city of Thrissur, Kerala from 2012. Later in 2015, she joined as the Kerala State Outreach Coordinator of Humane Society International/India. She is currently the Senior Specialist in the Farm Animal Protection Campaign of the organisation, and works on sensitising the public on animal agriculture, its relation to climate change and Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and promoting plant based food as a sustainable choice of living.[5] Her work for the protection of street dogs and against the cruelty to animals in Kerala has received great attention in Kerala.[6][7] The Government of Kerala recognised her for the efforts during the Kerala Floods of 2018 and 2019. She regularly conducts awareness programmes in schools/colleges for students and is a TedX speaker focussing on sensitising the public against animal cruelty and instilling compassion in the society.[8][9][10]
Awards and recognition
- 100 Women Achievers - Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India - 2016 [11] [12]
- 50 most influential people of Kerala - KeralaInsider portal - 2019 [13]
References
- ^ "How Sally became a dog-catcher after journalism course!". Manorama Online. 4 January 2020.
- ^ "India's 'biggest' pet rescue operation in Kerala floods". BBC News. 4 September 2018.
- ^ "WCD Ministry felicitates 112 exceptional women achievers". Press Information Bureau. 20 January 2018.
- ^ "50 Most Influential People of 2019 in Kerala". KeralaInsider. 31 December 2019.
- ^ "The NSS volunteers of this Kochi college will now learn animal welfare". Indian Express edexLive. 23 December 2020.
- ^ "One-woman army scripts new episode in flood-hit Kerala's animal planet". Manorama Online. 4 January 2020.
- ^ "Sally Varma: It looked like a disaster movie, but we moved ahead to save the animals". The Times of India. 15 December 2019.
- ^ "For Dogs Sake: A practical solution for animal cruelty". TEDxThiruvananthapuram. 1 January 2019.
- ^ "President Mukherjee hosts a reception for 100 women Achievers of India". Rashtrapathi Bhavan. 23 August 2020.
- ^ "The NSS volunteers of this Kochi college will now learn animal welfare". Indian Express edex Live. 23 December 2020.
- ^ "Sally Kannan named for central award". Manorama Online. 4 January 2020.
- ^ "President Mukherjee hosts a reception for 100 women Achievers of India". RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN. 25 January 2016.
- ^ "50 Most Influential People of 2019 in Kerala". Kerala Insider. 31 December 2019.
