India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded Vantara, a unique wildlife conservation, rescue, and rehabilitation initiative in Jamnagar, Gujarat, as a testament to India’s long-standing ethos of protecting its co-inhabitants.
Inaugurating the centre, he commended Anant Ambani and his team for their compassionate efforts in providing a safe haven for animals while promoting ecological sustainability and wildlife welfare.
Taking to X, the Prime Minister shared his admiration for the initiative, writing, “Inaugurated Vantara, a unique wildlife conservation, rescue, and rehabilitation initiative, which provides a safe haven for animals while promoting ecological sustainability and wildlife welfare. I commend Anant Ambani and his entire team for this very compassionate effort.”
Highlighting the centre’s impact, he recounted specific rescue cases, including a lioness suffering severe spinal injuries after being hit by a vehicle and a leopard cub abandoned by its family. “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. I compliment the team at Vantara for the care given to several such animals,” he wrote.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the tragic cases of elephants that had suffered due to human cruelty. “At Vantara, I saw an elephant that was the victim of an acid attack, receiving the utmost care. There were others—some blinded by their own mahouts, another hit by a speeding truck,” he shared. Reflecting on these distressing incidents, he urged people to be more compassionate, asking, “How can people be so careless and cruel? Let us put an end to such irresponsibility and focus on kindness towards animals.”
Modi also shared images from his visit, calling Vantara “a vibrant example of our centuries-old ethos of protecting those we share our planet with. Here are some glimpses…”
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, their son Anant Ambani, and daughter-in-law Radhika Merchant.
During his visit, the Prime Minister explored various facilities at the centre, interacting closely with rehabilitated animals and inspecting the state-of-the-art wildlife hospital, which houses advanced medical equipment, including MRI and CT scan machines, as well as intensive care units.
Modi’s visit underscored the his government’s commitment to wildlife protection, with Vantara emerging as a pioneering example of conservation efforts in India. Through this initiative, the Prime Minister reinforced the message of co-existence and care for all living beings, a principle deeply embedded in Indian tradition.
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