Maniyan Pillai is 70 years old and he is from Vetturoad, Kazhakoottam in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. For the last 2 decades, he has been feeding stray dogs and proved to be their ray of hope.

As per a report in The New Indian Express, he can be seen doing it every morning and evening without missing a day. He is always followed in his locality by a loyal pack of stray dogs.

The man himself is homeless and jobless and yet he provides food to these creatures like they were his own children.

“I have always been an animal lover and started feeding them regularly for the past two decades. If I come across a hungry stray I never hesitate to use my money to buy food for them. Earth is not owned by humans alone. Animals too are part of this world and humans should learn to coexist with them. I feed them first before I feed myself,” he said.

Pillai served for 10 years in the Indian Army.

“After serving seven years in the military I don’t get any financial aid or pension from the government. But it’s okay because leaving the military was my decision and I never tried to get any benefits for serving in the military,” he added.

“I lost my home and now I live in a friend’s shop. My day revolves around these strays and nothing can make me happier than feeding them who often face neglect. There were days when I had spent around Rs 1000 on their food. Some people shout at me for feeding them and a few rude ones try to attack these strays. This attitude should change. They too have every right to live and survive among us,” he went on to say.

He lost a lot during the lockdown and could not find work either.

He has a big heart and is doing his bit for these animals. We need more like him.