: Students of Rajas Higher Secondary School, Kottakkal, have been campaigning for the freedom of parrots for the past few months. Adding momentum to the drive, they celebrated the National Birds Day on Thursday by taking out a rally through Kottakkal and renewing their pledge to break the cages of parrots.
The Pegasus English Club of the school embarked on a unique mission named BC (Break the Cages) 2016 a few months ago after the students realised the angst of the birds caged in the name of pets. “Parrots are not pets like dogs or cats. They belong in the wild. Caging them is illegal,” said Pegasus secretary Fatima Farzana addressing the rally.
Explaining that a caged parrot losts not only its ability to fly but also two years of life span, Ms. Farzana said that it was a criminal offence to cage parrots under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.
She was joined by her friends Ahamed Nisthak, Danish Mohammed, Dilshad Khan, Mohammed Fayiz and Naseeb Abdu.
They are planning to conduct a flash-mob in Kottakkal and neighbouring towns on Monday. “We are determined to go ahead with this campaign. We have the blessings of our parents and teachers,” said joint secretary A.P. Anjusha.
A survey conducted by them showed that more than 100 students on their campus had caged parrots at their homes. “We are going to create awareness among them about the importance of releasing the birds,” they said.
They have begun a signature campaign for the cause. Using posters and social media, the students are reaching out to the homes in Kottakkal and neighbouring places. They hold hands for the cause, singing their theme song: ‘‘Break bird cages, break all bird cages, till they are back to safety.’’
