Guardians of the Voiceless

Meet Jullie Chaudhuri, a former flight attendant, and her niece Aloka Deane, two incredible women who get what it really means to be human. These fearless animal lovers don't just talk the talk—they're out there rescuing animals in crisis and fighting for those who can't speak for themselves. And here's the thing: they'll drop everything to help a person in need too. For that is what keeps them going through thick and thin

"Starting off with road rescues, we moved to finding a shelter for them, whether it be for donkeys or cows. All living beings change for the better when they know they are loved and cared for"

"Wherever there is life, there is a soul. And wherever there is a soul, there is an essential element of the divine," Jullie Chaudhuri.

This simple truth drives Jullie, a former flight attendant, and her niece Aloka Deane, a communication and behavioral trainer, life coach, and tarot card reader. While most of us rush past the suffering of street dogs, injured birds or abused cattle, these two women stop, look and act. They invest their own time, money and energy into making the world a kinder place.

Jullie's empathy took root early. She studied at St. Mira's College for Girls in Pune, run by the Sadhu Vaswani Mission."The Mission is a staunch believer in respecting all forms of life. They teach you that animals are your kin and equal stakeholders in your journey on earth," she reminisces. This philosophy, along with the preachings of her Guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who believes in love and harmony across all barriers, shaped her worldview.

Despite the pressures of her flying career, Jullie managed to find time to help animals. "Way back in 1997, my colleague and I were part of a group called Ahimsa organised by Dr. Satnam Ahuja that focused on the plight of abused animals," she shares.

Acting on a hunch, the women slipped into the compound of a circus, wearing burkhas, and soon discovered that the lionesses being used in performances were blind. Horrified by what they had seen, the group moved court and got an order asking the circus to set the lionesses free. They then had the animals transported to Borivali National Park, in Mumbai, where they were finally able to escape years of misery.

A perfect partnership

In a few years, Jullie was joined by Aloka, her sister's daughter, and together, the duo works faster and better. "I am great at hands-on work while my aunt's strengths lie in handling, coordinating and spreading the word," says Aloka. "Together, we make a good team."

So, whether it is rescuing an injured kite or crow entangled in a kite string (manjha), a snake that has entered human settlements , or making sure a pregnant dog gets immediate medical attention or saving a cow from the butcher—neither woman ever holds back from stepping up for four-legged souls. One particular episode stands out in memory for Jullie. "I was travelling in an auto around Pune's camp area, when I suddenly saw a cow who had just delivered a calf, being dragged by a tempo she was tied to."

Startled by the sight, she had the auto follow the tempo, caught up with them, and after a short argument managed to cut the rope. "God was kind. There was a compound with its gate open. The cow ran in, and I quickly shut the gate."

Though the men fought back, Jullie dug in her heels and raised her voice, asking bystanders for help. A few phone calls later, Aloka and her friend Khursheed Sharp (another animal enthusiast) reached the spot. Together, they managed to call the cops and the media, to find out who owned the cow, and how she could be saved from mistreatment in the days to follow. "Finally, we reached a compromise by giving the cow back to her owners but with the caveat that they would be back to check on her," Jullie explains.

Not just that, both Jullie and Aloka remind people from time to time that animals are not just objects but living beings with a soul. “They need love, care and safety, just like everyone else,” says Jullie.

Happy to succour

Like her aunt, Aloka too was born with the passion to help animals. "However, I got into solo animal rescue at 15—it's been 30 years since," she says. "Starting off with road rescues, we moved to finding a shelter for them, whether it be for donkeys or cows."

Among other things, Aloka would also rehome animals to the late animal activist Lila Parulekar's shelter called Jeev Raksha, where she served as a volunteer. She's also been an Honorary Animal Welfare Officer (HAWO).

Though their reputation as animal rescuers precedes them, Aloka believes that maybe animals instinctively understand who will help them. "Perhaps that is why we get to know of so many injured birds and animals," she grins. "We spend our own money and believe it's worthy spend." Hearteningly, the women are increasingly joined by Aloka's 11-year-old son, Saiesh, an equally dedicated enthusiast.

Currently, the women have adopted a stray called Masti, so named for his sprightly energy and sense of fun. Even as Masti runs around with joy, Jullie points out the difference between his former self and today. "All living beings change for the better when they know they are loved and cared for," she says quietly. "It's a universal thread that connects us all."

"I am great at hands-on work while my aunt's strengths lie in handling, coordinating and spreading the word. Together, we make a good team"

Helping fellow humans

While animal rescue is their focus, Jullie and Aloka lend a helping hand to the poor and needy as well. During Covid, the duo put together ration bags of quality food grain and essentials for poor families. "We would find out where they were most needed, gather funds from friends. My brother would take Aloka and me in his car and we would drive around, dropping off the bags," smiles Jullie.

Jullie, a keen trekker and nature lover, has more stories to narrate. "In 1999, there was an earthquake at Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand). We made sacks of clothing, provisions and utilities, and with the help of porters managed to reach the remotest villages along with our rucksacks. But, we were mindful of two things — their immense self-respect and the prerequisite to all charity, asking the recipient if they were willing to accept the charity from us," she explains.

So, what is it that prompts the women day after day? "This is our purpose in life, to give back in gratitude to what the Universe gives us. Life is not just about saying: this is my family, and this is my circle and that's all I am going to do. Oh, no. There is much more to life than just your own world,” rounds off Jullie.