Star Street Teamer: Aishwarya Iyer

Animals are lucky to have this inspiring, dedicated and compassionate "animal lady" fighting for them!

Name: Aishwarya Iyer
Age: 17
Hometown: Mumbai

Tell us something about yourself.
Animal lady, environment freak, metal head, crazy person … this is what people think about me. I'm a normal college-going girl. I love animals, and I hate people who are mean to them and cause them harm. I've always wanted to do something that would keep animals smiling. I'm glad I have a chance to do that.

What are your goals?
My goal is to make people aware that they're not the only ones living on this planet. People have become so selfish that they don't realise this world does not belong only to them but to all animals. I want to do more work for animals.

Tell us something about your recent experience in which you and your friends played an instrumental role in getting three people arrested who were selling illegal wildlife products.
The most annoying thing during the whole experience was that the police were really not cooperating with us. When one of the three ladies came to me and my friends, namely Ayesha Wadhawan, Avani Gala, Vivian Stalin, and Prathamesh Shilimkar, to sell her stuff, she showed us tiger nails and claws. Later on, during the investigation at the police station, the police told us that they could not find the claws. A few minutes later, Prathamesh saw the claws hidden under their table. The forest officers were really annoyed that the police themselves were lying. Moreover, they made us wait from 4 to 11 pm that day, saying that they were filing the FIR. This proves that they weren't really bothered by what was happening, just because it was related to animals. According to one of the constables, it was a "waste of time". However, the point is, we persevered and made a difference. And it is important that, despite obstacles, other people stand up for animals too. We are animals' only hope. If you don't speak up, who will?

What made you decide to go vegan?
I'm a vegan because I love animals and respect them. I don't want to do any harm to them in any way. I've been a vegetarian since childhood. And I'm really glad that my whole family respects and follows vegetarianism.

What is your advice to young people trying to go vegetarian or vegan?
My advice would be that they respect their decision and stick to it. They shouldn't consider it to be temporary, as some people resume non-vegetarian food after a certain period of time. They should believe in non-violence towards animals.

How long have you been helping animals? What got you interested in animal rights?
I used to go for signature campaigns and rallies and things like that. But I've always worked on convincing the people around me to stop animal abuse and tried to tell them about the torture animals face. I was always interested in animal rights. But the urge to do something effective was aroused in me when I saw this horrible video of cows slaughtered, their babies mercilessly separated from them and elephants tortured in a zoo.

You put together an awareness programme at college. Tell us about it.
The awareness programme was basically done for environmental awareness. After our incident, our teachers, our friends and other students were convinced to support the cause of animal welfare and environmental conservation. It is a really good thing that people are finally realising the importance of animals.

Tell us about the PETA demonstrations and other events you've been a part of.
I've had a great time helping to get signatures for the anti-KFC petitions and the petition to help the little monkey used in experiments. Mostly, I've been to rock shows where bands that support PETA have helped me get even more signatures than usual. There's only one thing I can say about all these things: PETA rules!

What message do you have for petaDishoom Street Teamers?
I would like to congratulate the other Street Teamers for the great things they've done. I just hope they keep doing more and make people aware of the horrible life animals lead.

What do you plan to do in the future?
I plan to become a journalist. I am really looking forward to writing heartfelt articles that will get people to take notice of the atrocities happening around us and encourage them to take action immediately. Animals are our friends, and they deserve our love and friendship. I just aspire to become a good journalist so that I can make my voice reach to every nook and corner of this world where people would give up their lives for the cause of animal welfare.