TAKING FLIGHT: Pigeons flocking the park at Hasmathgunj Colony in Sultan Bazar. PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

HYDERABAD: They are attractive, quiet, unobtrusive, have a calming influence, easy to tame, active but not at all demanding and require little or no maintenance. They are man's faithful messengers for ages and have become symbols of peace and unity for generations.

These days, pigeons are commonly raised for their meat and racing. However, in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Hashmatgunj Colony in Sultan Bazaar over 50,000 pigeons do not have to worry about man's selfish motives for their survival.

Grains

From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. scores of pigeon lovers pile on sacks of grains in the small park rigged up by the members of Hashmatgunj Pigeons Welfare Association. For the pigeons the park is nothing short of a second home as they spend most of the day either eating grains or basking in the sun.

"This facility was started by my grandfather Jamnalal Ramlal Kimtee in memory of his wife Premabai. In fact, there is a peace tower in the park to symbolise peace and unity. Over 8,000 pigeon lovers are members of our association," says association president D.S. Kimtee.

Mr. Kimtee also pointed out that pigeons are strictly vegetarians and they would never compromise in situations when they find it hard to get food to eat. "We Jains are strict vegetarians and so are the pigeons. They would die or eat small stones to fill their stomach but never kill small organisms for food. This is why we decided to provide them a shelter here," explained Mr. Kimtee.

Another trader Kamal Rathi points out that they are addicted to the sounds and sight of pigeons in the park. "We feel as if we have missed out on some important activity if we do not feed them. They have become a part and parcel of our lives," Mr. Rathi pointed out.

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