Dept of English, DGC conducts Extension Activity at SPCA (Dimapur), PM SHRI Government High School, Burma Camp & Burma Camp Bazaar Area on 24.04.2026

The department of English, Dimapur Government College, organised an extension activity at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), PM SHRI Government High School, Burma Camp, & Burma Camp Bazaar Area, Dimapur, on 24^th April ,2026, under the theme “This is Their Home Too: Educate & Advocate for Animal Rights.” The activity was undertaken by the faculty of the department led by the HoD along with English students from 2^nd, 4^th and 8^th semesters. A total of 7 teachers and 20 students participated in the activity.

The formal session was chaired by Ms. Shuiching Konyak, Asst. Prof., dept. English. Welcome address was delivered by Ms. Marianne Rao, Executive Secretary, SPCA Dimapur, who appreciated the initiative and highlighted the importance of collective efforts in addressing animal welfare concerns. She spoke on the beginnings of SPCA in Dimapur and cited examples of cases where animals were rescued.

This was followed by short speeches from students Ms. Hojila S (8^thSem, English Dept.) and Mr. Mhao Yanthan (4^th Sem, English Dept.), who reflected on the role of youth in educating and advocating for animal rights. Their speeches also highlighted how young individuals can serve as catalysts for change by spreading awareness and fostering a culture of empathy towards all living beings.

SPCA, Dimapur Cell Vice President, Mr. Joseph Lemtur expressed concern over the limited number of SPCA centers in the region and stressed the urgent need for expanding such facilities. He urged students to cooperate with organizations like SPCA and take initiative in promoting awareness and humane practices within their communities. He also spoke about some of the legal provisions for protection of animals including the requirement of having an SPCA center in every district. At the moment, SPCA Dimapur is the lone cell in Nagaland. He highlighted the challenges of running shelters, particularly the shortage of staff, and pointed out the lack of basic knowledge about proper pet care, emphasizing the need for simple and practical awareness. In this regard, guidelines concerning pet and street dogs, as well as their caregivers, were shared with the participants.

SPCA, Dimapur Cell member & spokesperson, Ms. Eunice Lotha highlighted an aspect of the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes empathy and compassion as essential human values for holistic development. She noted that the policy encourages moving beyond mere academic achievement to nurturing responsible, ethical, and caring citizens. Stressing the importance of social-emotional learning, she explained that NEP promotes empathy not as passive sympathy, but as active compassion, encouraging individuals to share, and respond to the needs of others, including animals. Such initiatives align with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasizing experiential learning and community engagement. The activity enabled students to translate classroom knowledge into meaningful action, reinforcing empathy and social responsibility.  She invited young people to become members of SPCA, which is a purely voluntary service.

A donation of ₹5000/- was contributed by the department of English, DGC, and was formally handed over to SPCA Dimapur by the Hod, dept. of English, in support of its animal welfare initiatives.

Following the formal session, students actively participated in hands-on outreach activities, beginning with the cleaning of the SPCA premises. They also visited the Veterinary Hospital, Dimapur, where they gained practical exposure to animal care and treatment. They witnessed the treatment of animals up-close, promoting empathy and understanding of animal care.

Extending their outreach further, the students visited the PM SHRI Government High School, Burma Camp, Dimapur to interact with young learners which included speeches citing personal experiences, distribution of pamphlets and generally raising awareness about animal welfare.

They also interacted with the community distributing pamphlets and spreading awareness within the vicinity of the Burma Camp Bazaar. Experiential learning formed a vital component of the initiative with students gaining first-hand experience of the challenges and responsibilities associated with animal rights and care in society.