At a time when one has no time and money for others, here is a man who spends his hard-earned savings on feeding cats.
Meet Mohammed Jahangir, popularly known as Jahangir Bhai of Jahanuma locality in Old City. His passion for feeding cats has made him an icon in this middle-class dominated neighbourhood.
The 55-year-old feeds a dozen cats every day thanks to his love for cats. It is not something new for his neighbours. In fact, he has been doing it for years.
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Jahangir’s love for cats began some 40 years ago.
“My father used to feed cats earlier, and I developed a hobby,” says Jahangir, who earlier worked at a paan shop.
“In times of curfews or bandhs I bring home milk and feed them,” he adds.
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Though Jahangir stopped going for work after a cataract surgery, he continues with his hobby unmindful of the expenditure involved.
“It costs me Rs. 300 to Rs. 400 a month. The best thing is my family supports me. Also, butchers are helpful and give me extra meat to feed the cats,” he says.
The very sight of Jahangir Bhai attracts at least half-a-dozen cats in a span of minutes. They wait for him on rooftops and street corners and rush when they spot him every evening.
Initially people in the locality protested and complained of cat menace, but later after seeing Jahangir’s liking for the creatures, they stopped it.
“People of the locality recognised his work and stopped interfering with it. His dedication to cats is a lesson for people who fight in the name of religion and forget humanity,” says Sohail Ahmed, a local resident.