Interview

Dr. Chinny Krishna

Chairman, Blue Cross of India
Chennai

Dr. Chinny Krishna is the Chairman of the Blue Cross of India, one of India's largest animal welfare organizations.

What is the mission statement of the Blue Cross of India?

• That it is a moral obligation that all animals, domesticated or wild, be protected from cruelty at the hands of man.
• That the claims and interests of science, sport, entertainment and the production of food do not exempt man from the obligation to eliminate cruelty and avoid suffering.
• That Humane Education is essential if the conditions of animals are to be improved.

When was it created, by whom, and why?

In 1964, by a group of nine led by Captain and Mrs. Sundaram, to do our bit to alleviate the suffering of animals.

How long have you been involved with the NGO?

Since 1959 when the Blue Cross was a pressure group within the Madras SPCA. In 1964, when the Blue Cross was formally registered under the Societies Registration Act, I was one of the nine signatories to the Articles & Memorandum of Association of the organization.

Why did you get involved?

My parents were the principal persons behind the formation of the Blue Cross. However, it was my grandfather, my mother’s father, who had a major influence, and it was he who really instilled in all of us a great sense of reverence for all life.

Have you always worked in the NGO field?

While I have been involved with the Blue Cross since its founding, all of us have been volunteers. I am a chemical engineer by training and run an engineering unit, Aspick Engineering P Ltd. I devote about 30 hours per week to the Blue Cross.

Why is NGO work important?

Because the people involved are there because they believe in and are committed to the cause.

What is your operating budget? What would you do with more funds?

Approximately US$350,000 per year. With more funds we would expand our services to the extent of funds availability. Money is an amazing thing; it can go where we cannot; help reduce suffering and pain with which we cannot directly deal.

Outside of funding, what are some of the biggest challenges it faces? Or, specifically, what is the most frustrating part?

Getting committed people involved, especially veterinarians who are genuinely concerned with animal welfare.

What is your dream for the Blue Cross of India?

To make ourselves redundant and ensure that there is no need for an organization like ours.

Did you have an inspirational figure in your life growing up?

Yes - Ramana Maharishi and Mahatma Gandhi.

Are there other selfless leaders out there you admire? If so, who and why?

India is fortunate in being a punya-bhoomi (a blessed land) where there are thousands of great souls who work silently without expecting any reward.

If there is one place or issue out there in the world you could personally explore, what would it be?

Why there are some people who are indifferent to or worse as regards people and animal suffering while many of the same species are capable of the most divine acts of compassion in action.

What would you consider the Blue Cross of India's greatest accomplishment?

Probably the fact that we have survived with so much apathy all around. Or maybe that our Animal Birth Control programme has been included as a milestone achievement in the Environmental Timeline by Radford University in Virginia.

What are three things about your NGO that you wish people knew?

• That the biggest beneficiary of the animal welfare movement are human beings.
• That our effort is not charity but our social responsibility (India’s idea of charity is best described by Jack London who wrote: “Charity is not giving a bone to a hungry dog. Sharing your bone with a hungry dog when you are equally hungry — that alone is charity.”)
• That the Blue Cross is fortunate in having a group of professionals who donate their time and efforts on a voluntary basis, thus ensuring that all money received by us goes directly to help animals without any of it being eroded by administrative expenses.

Do you think media accurately portrays the issues your organization represents?

It occasionally does not but the responsibility to educate and properly inform the media lies with us.

How can people get involved?

Help your local animal welfare group.

How was the grant given by explore through the Annenberg Foundation used?

To take our humane education, Dr. Dog, and Animal Birth Control programmes forward.

Do you think it had an impact? How?

The additional awareness about these programmes raised in schools, colleges and in the media.

What was your biggest surprise when explore came to visit you?

The biggest surprise came a little later when we were asked to submit a proposal for US$50,000 to fund our Dr. Dog and educational programmes.

Why is it important to be a selfless person?

I do not think that it is all that important. We do what ever we do to maximize our pleasure or satisfaction — if we help others while living this way, it is an added bonus.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

The sacrifice of animals in the name of religion.

What do you believe to be the biggest challenge facing our planet today?

Climate change and more is being contributed to this by intensive farming methods than by transportation.

What do you think will be our planet’s biggest challenge 10 years from now? 25 years from now? 50 years from now?

How to undo what has been done by man in the last hundred years plus; 115 years plus; 140 years plus. What man has done can be largely undone by him (except for the species that have gone extinct).

What is the key to living a happy life?

For the vast majority of people, their blessings are far more than their sufferings and needs. Count your blessings and live and help live.