Komal G.B. Singh

Having dedicated 16 years to National news, Komal G.B. Singh is an inspiration to many. In a tête-à-tête with D&P, she reveals her spiritual bonding with her pets who are Great Indian Dogs . “Komal’s caboodle’s” – that’s the name of her trio. Komal G.B. Singh has been in media and the telecasting industry for the past three decades. She started her career by acting on stage with Yuvani, later she joined newsreading for Doordarshan and recently has anchored events like President’s Fleet Review, Beating Retreat & National Film Awards etc. She is with the Board of Directors for NIFT, Fortune Institute of Communication, and also a guest lecturer at Jamia Millia National University (Hindi department) for communication.

How Angel came in our life…

Angel was named so because she truly is one, she came into my life at a time when, I needed strong physical and psychic protection. I was all alone in a three-storey house, when she arrived at my doorstep, bleeding, ill and insecure. She was a big dog who had obviously been thrown out on the streets by her previous owner. I took her to Friendicoes but she wasn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer. Her eyes reflected great love for me and somehow in one spark of a moment, I truly felt that she had been sent by God… and I brought her home and felt at peace.

How my family became complete…

Slowly, Angel endeavored to open an ashram at my residence, bringing in hungry, sick and destitute dogs. Before I knew, I had four dogs (Angel, Tulsi, Roxy and Kauwa) who had adopted me. I bond in spirit to each one of them and am certain our relationship goes back many lives. Their antics and idiosyncrasies would run into several chapters…… Beyond the joy and pleasure that each of them bring, there is a deeper level that we connect at.

More about my pets…

In terms of personality, all three are very different. Angel is very possessive about me, Kauwa is mostly with my mother who pampers him. Roxy is very happy-go-lucky. Kauwa being the youngest has been given the duty to watch at night by his pack leaders while they snore their tensions away.

Taking care of their needs…

We never eat until the dogs are fed. My mom is never so worried about me as much as she is about them. For us they are at priority and I love to personally feed and take care of them.

On pet vacations…

They go for a complete pet vacation when our whole family goes to Kasauli every year, where we have our ancestral properties. My dad’s Tata Safari is completely packed with them and their belongings. When we stop to eat, people often come to see them and some even ask me to take other stray dogs around that place. I really wish I could take them all but physically I cannot take care of more then three. The caretaker at Kasauli also loves them very much. The trio have a gala time there as they have a huge terrace for themselves, which is entirely fenced for their safety.

Crazy antics of my pet…

All three are always up to mischief. Kauwa has a fetish for footwear and would pick up one of each pair. I have a parrot named Coco who has picked up Kauwa’s name and so whenever the dogs are making too much noise, she screams out Kauwa’s name. One shriek from Coco and the dogs go running out.

On adopting strays…

I would like to correct that my dogs have adopted me and not the other way round (laughing). Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, I believe that they are sturdier and intelligent. They know what to do and when. They are street smart and are suited to our Indian climate and environment. Personally, I would always love to adopt a dog who needs that kind of special care. Strays need to be loved and cherished since they are the “Great Indian Dog.” They need your love and patience to help them overcome their insecurities.

What my pets teach me…

My pets and I have a complete Karmic connections that extend beyond this life. Patience, perseverance, loyalty and courage are some qualities that they’ve taught me ever so unknowingly. We speak to each other in many languages and in canine dialects too! Most of all we speak to each other in our silence. We relate to at a level beyond words… I am certain that every creature that comes to my doorstep, has been sent for a purpose. I truly believe, as my parents put it so eloquently , that “Our dogs are truly God’s gifts to us.” And like all of God’s cherished gifts, it’s only natural that we love, nurse and nurture them with compassion, time and sincerity.

Tips for readers…

Treat them like a part of your family, they reciprocate in an amazing manner. It gives me so much spiritual satisfaction and strength as they bring in pure joy. Even if someone gives a stray a bowl of water everyday, it gives immense satisfaction. To give a few tit bits to a stray does not take much. My only plea is that in summers specially, please keep a bowl of water or any container outside your home for a thirsty dog. They only understand kindness and that’s all they require.