My Mom's Diary - A Special Thank You Note

On a Thursday morning in the month of December 2021, five of us were standing outside the gate of a house waiting for the owner to appear. It was a remote area much far from where we live. As we were chatting amongst us while waiting, I saw a puppy at the far end of the road involved in some sort of play. Suddenly the puppy started running towards us at an amazing speed. She ran straight to the gentleman next to me, licked his legs, wagged her tail and sat down close to his feet. It was fascinating to watch. I asked the gentleman why the puppy expressed such excitement and happiness on seeing him when he was not even looking at her. He replied, “She knows ma”.

“But how?”

"Pets can sense our hormone levels going up. It is the love hormone...it is simply bonding with them".

The gentleman's voice could not have been calmer. The tone could not have carried more depth. His love and passion for pets cannot be quantified. His knowledge of the citizens of jungle world, both domesticated and otherwise, is awe-inspiring. The authority with which he deals the creatures and the illnesses of creatures that co-exist in the world with humans is sublime. The measures he had taken to prevent cruelty to animals are exemplary. 

The gentleman is Dr. Bakthavatsalam fondly referred to as Dr. Baktha. 

The first time my husband mentioned about Dr. Baktha a few years ago I was thoroughly fascinated. Interactions with him over the years have kept the fascination growing; and so has the profound respect we have for him. 

Highlights of Dr. Baktha's Career

Dr. Baktha is a senior veterinary doctor, researcher and an expert in food processing technology. Dr. Baktha's research earned wide recognition and he was honoured by FAO of United Nation as the pioneer in the field of animal by-products. 

He was actively involved in food processing technology by Government of India as a scientist and advisor. The programs devised by him are executed in 130 municipal corporations of Tamilnadu as well as in other states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Jammu and Kashmir. He was honoured as a Board member in Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS).

He introduced stunning process to avoid cruelty in the Abattoir (slaughter house) sector at the national level. He was an advisor in National Planning Commission and a member in Five Year Planning Committee and also National Research and Development Corporation (NRDC).

Dr. Baktha was also a member of Five Year Planning Committee of Government of India. He was bestowed with Rashtriya Gaurav and Lifetime Achievement Award by TANUVAS.

He remains a Senior Clinician in Veterinary practice of his entire life. 

Through his treatment to and of animals, he has gained a special place in their hearts so much so that the King of Jungle recognized him even after seven years and wanted nothing but to sit next to him for the next one hour or so. Such is the love with which he has treated them in his career. 

Despite the levels he had reached in his life and career Dr. Baktha remains a humble person at heart. This trait in particular, has bowled us over and will remain so forever.

We take this moment to thank Dr. Baktha for sharing with us some of his experiences and knowledge. 

We take this moment to thank him for his amazing guidance in handling our Chezhi.

We also take this moment to thank him for bringing Chezhi and our family together. 

We wish the senior doctor the very best from the bottom of our heart.