Even as the dreaded Phailin was growing in intensity with winds blowing at high speed and rains lashing nonstop on October 12 night, a 23-year-old man worried more about the safety of his 60 pigeons in his aviary atop his three-storeyed residence near GGP Colony here.
Despite the inclement weather and people, more or less, resigned to fate given the ferocity of the wind and the onslaught it had let loose, the man made regular trips to his pigeon coops to ensure the birds were safe and secure.
He braved the ferocious wind and downpour to cover the coops with a polythene sheet so that rainwater did not seep in or the winds did not terrify the fledglings. He would stand guard till it was morning and the rain and wind had let up.
Meet Debasmit lenka of Mayur Vihar near GGP Colony, who has a fascination for winged animals. Right from childhood, he was an animal lover. He groomed dogs, cats, mice, parrots and pigeons at home and took immense pride in tending to them.
After studies, he would spend time bathing, feeding and nursing his pets. Whenever any pet took ill, he would try to nurture it back to health. With his experience in treating pets, he has now achieved as much expertise as a veterinarian. He does not have to call for a doctor these days when it comes to treating a sick animal.
Debasmit, an MTech student, is now a proud owner of a large variety of homing pigeons in various colours. There are also a few which are different from the wild ones noticeable from their eyes and necks.
Debasmit’s daily chore for the birds constitutes washing and cleaning the coops, feeding each bird timely, nursing them if unwell and setting them free to soar high. Once they fly back, he ensures they are safe inside the coop. “It’s exhilarating to see my pigeons flying high and dotting the skies,” said Debasmit.
Asked why he is indulgent with the birds, Debasmit said he did not find any difference between his pigeons and human beings. “Birds and animals are more sensitive to human feelings. Just give them some care and affection and you’ll see the birds voluntarily coming near you and perching on your shoulder,” he said, adding that pigeons reciprocate human overtures.
When asked how he had been able to collect such a large number of homing pigeons, Debasmit said he had started his aviary a few years back with a small number of birds he had sourced from different parts of the State.
However, he said he never captured a wild pigeon and caged it. On the other hand, he could increase their numbers through in-breeding.