Our Bureau
Jaipur/ Mumbai
Dr. Ravi Murarka, President of the American Association of Veterinarians of Indian Origin (AAVIO) and President of PARAM – Philadelphia Rajasthan Mandal, concluded a highly impactful professional and community-focused visit to Jaipur and Mumbai, strengthening veterinary education, public health initiatives, and international collaboration.
Jaipur Highlights
During his Jaipur visit, Dr. Murarka:
- Met with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Bhajanlal Sharma ji, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Rajmata Diya Kumari ji, and several cabinet ministers during Pravasi Rajasthan Divas (PRD).
- Personally, invited Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma ji and Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Rajmata Diya Kumari ji to attend the 19th Bharatiya Temple Gangaur Festival, scheduled to be held in Philadelphia on March 14, 2026.
- Held discussions with senior government secretaries and university authorities on advancing veterinary education, international exposure, and placement opportunities for Indian veterinarians, including a meeting with the Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries & Gopalan, and the Managing Director, Rajasthan Skill and Livelihood Development Corporation, Government of Rajasthan, Dr. Samit Sharma.
- Conducted hands-on wet lab training and advanced clinical sessions for veterinarians in collaboration with SAVA Rajasthan.
- The wet lab was facilitated and hosted by Dr. Chawla’s Pet Hospital, Jaipur, with critical logistical and technical support from Mr. Gagrin Singh of Global Technology Solutions, Janakpuri, New Delhi, who coordinated the transportation and setup of dental stations, anesthesia machines, and other advanced veterinary instruments from New Delhi.
- Visited the Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education & Research (PGIVER), Jaipur, interacting with faculty and students and delivering a keynote lecture on global opportunities in veterinary medicine.
- Actively participated in Mission Rabies Jaipur, a major public health initiative supported by Shri Anil Agarwal ji of the Vedanta Group, highlighting the importance of public–private partnerships in disease prevention.
- As per discussions with multiple veterinary university authorities and animal welfare stakeholders, proposed the development of a Jaipur-based pilot project focused on mass sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs. This collaborative initiative aims to effectively control the stray dog population while simultaneously providing structured, hands-on surgical training for final-year veterinary students. The project envisions close coordination among veterinary universities, government departments, municipal bodies, and animal welfare organizations. Upon successful implementation in Jaipur, the model is intended to be replicated across other cities in India, while also paving the way for the formal introduction of Shelter Medicine programs in veterinary universities, aligned with established practices in the United States.
Legal & Public Health Context – Supreme Court of India
In late 2025, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India took suo moto cognizance of the growing public health concerns related to dog bites across the country. The Court emphasized the need for coordinated action by State governments to balance citizens’ right to safety under Article 21 of the Constitution with established animal welfare principles. Key directions highlighted the removal of stray dogs from sensitive public areas such as schools, hospitals, and transport hubs; the implementation of systematic sterilization and vaccination programs; and the development of appropriate sheltering and management mechanisms. These proceedings have prompted ongoing hearings focused on implementation, compliance, and humane, science-based solutions.
In alignment with this evolving national legal and public health framework, AAVIO’s proposed Jaipur sterilization and vaccination pilot project seeks to offer a practical, collaborative, and humane model that supports effective stray dog population management, rabies prevention, and advanced hands-on training for future veterinarians.
Rabies Awareness & School Outreach Initiative
During his meeting with the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Dr. Murarka formally requested permission to extend Mission Rabies Jaipur’s outreach into schools across Rajasthan, with the objective of:
- Educating children about rabies prevention
- Teaching safe behavior around animals
- Creating awareness on post-bite care and immediate medical response, which can save lives.
This initiative aims to empower young students with life-saving knowledge and significantly reduce rabies-related risks across the state.
Mumbai Highlights
In Mumbai, Dr. Murarka:
- Participated in academic and professional programs at Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU).
- Attended the Pet Practitioners Association of Mumbai (PPAM) – Meet the Industry (MI-16) event, including the inauguration of the veterinary exhibition.
- Interacted with private practitioners, industry leaders, and academic experts.
- Reconnected with former classmates and colleagues, strengthening long-standing professional relationships.
Speaking about the visit, Dr. Murarka said:
“With over 20 years of experience in rescue operations and shelter medicine as a Medical Director at the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA), I have seen firsthand how coordinated, humane, and science-based approaches can simultaneously protect public safety, improve animal welfare, and strengthen veterinary training. India’s veterinary profession holds immense promise. Through close collaboration between government authorities, veterinary universities, private practitioners, animal welfare organizations, and the global Indian veterinary diaspora, we can elevate clinical training, strengthen public health initiatives such as rabies control and humane population management, and create sustainable, globally aligned opportunities for future veterinarians.”
Commitment
Both AAVIO and PARAM reaffirm their commitment to:
AAVIO
- Strengthening veterinary education and clinical excellence through global knowledge exchange
- Supporting public health initiatives, including rabies prevention, humane population control, and shelter medicine development
- Building enduring bridges between India and the global Indian and Rajasthani veterinary community.
PARAM – Philadelphia Rajasthan Mandal
Supporting animal welfare and public health initiatives in Rajasthan beyond cultural engagement
- Facilitating collaboration between government bodies, academic institutions, animal welfare organizations, and the Indian diaspora
- Assisting in capacity building, skill development, and community outreach programs related to veterinary science and public health
- Promoting sustainable, humane solutions that align education, livelihoods, and animal welfare objectives.
- Building enduring bridges between India and the global Indian and Rajasthani veterinary community.
