For 30 Years, Sunil Lahri Has Been the Voice of the Voiceless on the Streets of Banaras
His heart melted after seeing an injured bull at the age of 15, and since then he has been devoted to serving animals
The moment the phone rings, the orange bike ambulance rushes to every corner of the city
A tripund on his forehead, a gamcha over his shoulder, and an old orange-colored motorcycle. Looking at Sunil Lahri in a crowd, no one would say that he is one of the most unique social workers in Banaras. Since the age of 15, he has been serving voiceless animals. For the past 30 years, he has been rescuing injured and helpless animals from the streets and providing them with treatment. Sunil’s motorcycle itself is his ambulance. The storage box carries medicines, bandages, husk, and a bag of biscuits. Written on the front of the bike are the words, “Service for Helpless and Injured Animals, Birds and Humanity.” That is his identity.
The Story Began with a Bull
Sunil says that when he was 15 years old, there was an injured bull lying in his neighborhood. He could not bear to see it suffering. For the first time, he gave the bull water, washed its wounds, and cleaned them. From that moment, a feeling of compassion for animals arose within him, and he has remained connected to serving voiceless creatures ever since. He could not continue his education for long. After completing the fifth standard, he began transporting goods on a trolley at Visheshwarganj Market. After spending the day serving helpless animals, he works in the market transporting goods in the evening. Whenever he spots an injured animal on the road or someone informs him about one, Sunil immediately reaches the location and begins serving the animal.
No Degree, But Full of Determination
“I don’t have any degree, sir,” Sunil says with a smile. “If I see a wound, I clean it. I apply medicine to help it heal. If the condition is serious, I call a doctor.” Seven years ago, someone threw acid on a Nandi bull. He dressed its wounds for months. When it finally recovered, he released it into the forest. He says, “If I had left it here, it would have been attacked again.” So far, he has served more than 10,000 animals. There is also a small shelter at Domri on the banks of the Ganga, where he treats seriously injured large animals.
The Family Opposed Him at First, Now They Support Him
Sunil says that whenever an animal was seriously ill, he had no place to keep it, so he would bring it home. On seeing the animals, his mother, Sonmati Devi, would say, “Why do you keep bringing animals home? There is hardly any space here.” Over time, the family also became involved in serving animals. One brother drives a trolley, while another is an auto-rickshaw driver. Both help Sunil financially in his work. Serving animals costs around ₹20,000 every month. Along with Ramji Seth and Keshav Seth, several other animal lovers also support him financially and encourage him to continue serving animals.
When the Motorcycle Became an Ambulance
Sunil, the friend of voiceless animals, initially served them by travelling on foot and using a trolley. Carrying injured animals from the streets was difficult. Seeing his selfless service, some people came forward to help and arranged a motorcycle for him. As soon as he got the bike, Sunil painted it completely orange. Today, that bright orange motorcycle has become his identity. The words “Service for Helpless and Injured Animals, Birds and Humanity” are written on the front, while the storage box always carries medicines, bandages, ointments, husk, and a bag of biscuits. Whether he receives a phone call from any corner of the city or notices an injured animal on the road, Sunil immediately rides out on his motorcycle. After reaching the spot, he first treats the animal’s wounds and then feeds any hungry animal. The motorcycle is no longer just a vehicle—it has become a moving ambulance on the streets of Banaras.
From Sparrows to Peacocks, Every Animal Receives Treatment
In the last thirty years, Sunil has treated sparrows, owls, vultures, mules, camels, monkeys, goats, dogs, cows, bulls, and even the national bird, the peacock. He says, “If there is still breath, I pick them up.” Seriously injured large animals are taken to the shelter of the “Helpless and Injured Animals, Birds and Public Service Committee” located at Domri Bandha, Padao. Sometimes it takes four to six months for an animal to recover. During that time, medicines, food, and daily care are provided. Once the animals recover, the larger animals are released into the forest, while the smaller ones are released in safe locations.
He Learned the Spirit of Service from Ramji Seth
Sunil says that Ramji Seth is his guru. Ramji Seth has been serving animals for 38 years and has rescued more than 6,000 voiceless animals. Due to old age, he now stays at the shelter and looks after the animals. Ramji Seth’s son, Keshav Seth, and the entire family stand by Sunil. Keshav says, “Sunil’s phone number is now known across Banaras. Calls come throughout the day. If Sunil is unavailable, then I, my brother, or my son reaches the spot.” At present, the shelter is treating a blind cow, a cow suffering from lumpy skin disease, an injured calf, and a baby monkey. Keshav says, “Sunil is fulfilling the unfinished dream of my father, Ramji Seth. All of us stand shoulder to shoulder with each other.
