Diwali 2025: How these Mumbai animal lovers are changing the lives of stray dogs in Navi Mumbai

As city homes hung up bright yellow lights and brought out their grandest fireworks it was a dark and silent Diwali for the stray dogs in BelpadaLocated between the Navi Mumbai mangroves and the manmade marvels of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and the new Navi Mumbai International Airport the neighbourhoodrsquos streeties were far away from the festive fervour An ambitious change is in the offing thanks to animal welfare group Happy Paws who went knocking on the wild straysrsquo doors bearing Diwali gifts this yearChinmay Nakhwa presents a treat to a happy streetie in Navi Mumbai PICS COURTESYHAPPY PAWSPaw Gift an initiative by animal lovers Neha Nair and Chinmay Nakhwa who run the Happy Paws shelter in the village saw more than 50 boxes of eggs chicken a treat and protective gear being distributed among the dogs With some help from animal friends across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai the number can soar higher soon ldquoThese strays donrsquot know what human touch feels like Theyrsquove never been cuddled hugged or fed before Most animal welfare groups donrsquot dare to step into this sensitive areardquo says Nair Dog fights and fatal brawls over limited food resources are common we learn The most heartbreaking part she says is that the strays have grown to be terrified of humans ldquoWhen we saw their plight during our first visit to the area we knew we had to give them a better liferdquo Nair recallsThe gift box includes eggs meat and a reflective collarUnlike urban streeties that lap up treats the strays of Belpada need some extra TLC Living in and out of the thick mangroves and along the wide highways the dogs have grown distinctively wilder in the dogeatdog world ldquoInitially we tried feeding them packaged treats that are a hit among city streeties We soon realised that they needed something more nutritious and fillingrdquo the cofounder reveals The group has found a compassionate way to win the hungry hearts ldquoWe sometimes hide behind trees and throw cuts of chicken at the packs from afar Wersquore slowly gaining their trust with every passing dayrdquo she saysNeha Nair and Chinmay NakhwaA wellfed stray does not mean a safe stray and the duo knows it too well ldquoWith the infrastructural metamorphosis in the recent past humanstray conflicts have skyrocketed The dogs often enter villages in packs irking the residents who strike backrdquo Nair sighs When theyrsquore not paying the villagers a visit yoursquoll find them along the heavy transport routes that pass through the neighbourhood more often than not deadldquoEvery day we see two to three hitandrun cases along the road Once injured they usually retreat into the mangroves where the wounds grow deeper The reflective collars in the gift box will help minimise these accidentsrdquo she adds The duo insists that nipping the problem in the bud is the need of the hour given that the nearest veterinary hospital is hours away and pet ambulances charge hefty fees to reach the spot ldquoWersquore trying our best with the resources at hand Nearly 47 animals including displaced goats and calves currently found shelter in the Happy Paws home this monthrdquo Nair sharesA group of puppies with their reflective collars right An injured stray recovers at the shelterThe ultimate goal the founders share is to control the stray population through ethical neutering But getting there requires a combined effort from Mumbaikars and Navi Mumbaikars Veterinarians rescuers care providers and young volunteers can reach out to the group to contribute in monetary donations or in kind ldquoOur Diwali wish is to see the strays live safer lives With soaring temperatures across the city recently we saw a few dogs sleeping in open drains to get respite We hope to see them in a better place next Diwalirdquo Nair signs off AT Happy Paws 2091 opposite JNPT Highway Road Belpada Navi MumbaiLOG ON TO happypaws_india on InstagramMESSAGE 7506843646 on WhatsApp for queries