Here, street dogs are treated like family members. They can stay, move and dine happily in the house of C.V.N. Murthy. He and his wife Padmavati treat them with utmost care. With the onset of summer, many dogs from various colonies come to their home to take rest in the afternoon. They also stay in the main hall along with them after having their ‘lunch’.
Mr. Murthy, who retired as Chief Engineer in the Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited of Andhra Pradesh (EPDCLAP) 10 years ago, is a lover of animals since his childhood. His daughter Naga Jyoti who died in 2007 used to play with dogs. To continue her interest, Mr. Murthy has been taking care of the street dogs. He ensures vaccination for them by inviting a veterinary doctor to their home.
“The dogs are unable to get shelter with the conversion of the entire Srikakulam town into a concrete jungle. It pained me a lot. That is why we are allowing the dogs to stay in our home. Many new ones also come regularly with the ‘spread’ of the news about the facility,” he added. “My daughter Naga Jyoti was a great lover of dogs. She used to play with them even after marriage in 2001. The sudden death shocked us. But we could overcome the mental agony by continuing her interest, ” said Mrs. Padmavati.
Old age home
Mr. Murthy’s charity is not confined to animals. He transferred all his properties to the Naga Jyoti Charitable Trust. He sold a t plot adjacent to his house for ₹32 lakh for the construction of an old age home within the premises of Anuraga Nilayam, an orphanage being run by the Red Cross. It is expected to be ready by June. “Philanthropists like Mr. Murthy inspire everyone. Properties worth more than ₹1 crore have already been transferred to the Trust which is associated with us,” said P. Jaganmohana Rao, chairman of the Red Cross-Srikakulam wing.
