'PM Modi's presence...': Shah Rukh Khan lauds Anant Ambani’s Vantara wildlife initiative

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Vantara, a wildlife rescue and conservation centre housing over 1.5 lakh rescued animals from 2,000+ species, in Gujarat, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan has reacted to the pictures shared by the Prime Minister, saying a "person's heart is directly proportional to their love for animals".

His reaction came on the PM's appeal to people in general to make efforts to end animal cruelty and work towards kindness towards animals. "At Vantara, I saw an elephant which was the victim of an acid attack. The elephant was being treated with utmost care. There were other elephants too, which were blinded and that too ironically by their Mahout. Another elephant was hit by a speeding truck. This underscores an important question - how can people be so careless and cruel?" the Prime Minister said on X.

Supporting the PM's statement, the Bollywood actor said animals deserve love, and they need protection and care… for their health & that of the planet. "PM @narendramodi’s presence at Vantara reinforces the importance of this. The purity of a person's heart is directly proportional to their love for animals. Vantara and Anant’s commitment of providing a sanctuary to unfortunate animals is a testament to that. Keep it up Beta!!" SRK wrote, referring to the initiative by Anant Ambani, Director, Reliance Industries. Anant Ambani also leads philanthropic initiatives at Vantara, which is a wildlife rescue, conservation, and rehabilitation centre set up by RIL and Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

While sharing his experiences at Vantara, the PM also cited other examples of how the experts at the sanctuary have been caring for the needy animals. "A lioness was hit by a vehicle with severe spinal injuries. She was getting proper care. A leopard cub abandoned by her family got a new lease of life, with proper nutritional care."

The Prime Minister commended Anant Ambani and his team for "this very compassionate effort". "An effort like Vantara is truly commendable, a vibrant example of our centuries old ethos of protecting those we share our planet with. Here are some glimpses…"

Spanning 3,000 acres within the Reliance Jamnagar Refinery Complex, the sanctuary serves as a hub for wildlife care and preservation. The wildlife centre is said to be the vision of Anant Ambani, where the prime focus is put on addressing critical issues like habitat loss, human-animal conflict, and poaching.

The Centre claims to have facilities such as advanced veterinary equipment, spacious enclosures mimicking natural habitats, and an expert team of over 2,100 staff. It aims to promote animal welfare while educating visitors on conservation efforts and the importance of biodiversity.