<p>In a heartwarming gesture, a village on the suburbs of Palakkad district in Kerala witnessed a remembrance meeting for a stray dog that had become the village's pet. A sculpture of the female dog was also installed.</p>.<p>Naduvattom, about 60 kilometres from Palakkad town, was where the remembrance meeting was held on Tuesday.</p>.<p>The dog, 'Beepathu', was abandoned around 13 years ago by its master when it was a year old. Initially, Shaji Oorali, a local cultural activist, and his wife Smitha took care of Beepathu, a local breed. Soon, she became the pet of every household in the locality and unlike the other street dogs, no one chased her away.</p>.<p>Beepathu died on December 28 after being attacked by a group of street dogs.</p>.<p>Shaji told <em>DH </em>that Beepathu's death had touched most people of the locality and hence, people had gathered for the remembrance meeting organised by 'Gramini', a cultural forum run by him. Everyone had stories of their time with Beepathu to share.</p>.<p>A sculpture of the female dog made by artist Biji Kongorpilly was installed at the Gramini premises. Wildlife photographer N A Naseer unveiled the sculpture and spoke on the topic 'Man and Animal'. A photography exhibition was also organised as part of the remembrance function. </p>
<p>In a heartwarming gesture, a village on the suburbs of Palakkad district in Kerala witnessed a remembrance meeting for a stray dog that had become the village's pet. A sculpture of the female dog was also installed.</p>.<p>Naduvattom, about 60 kilometres from Palakkad town, was where the remembrance meeting was held on Tuesday.</p>.<p>The dog, 'Beepathu', was abandoned around 13 years ago by its master when it was a year old. Initially, Shaji Oorali, a local cultural activist, and his wife Smitha took care of Beepathu, a local breed. Soon, she became the pet of every household in the locality and unlike the other street dogs, no one chased her away.</p>.<p>Beepathu died on December 28 after being attacked by a group of street dogs.</p>.<p>Shaji told <em>DH </em>that Beepathu's death had touched most people of the locality and hence, people had gathered for the remembrance meeting organised by 'Gramini', a cultural forum run by him. Everyone had stories of their time with Beepathu to share.</p>.<p>A sculpture of the female dog made by artist Biji Kongorpilly was installed at the Gramini premises. Wildlife photographer N A Naseer unveiled the sculpture and spoke on the topic 'Man and Animal'. A photography exhibition was also organised as part of the remembrance function. </p>
