Born into a defense family and having journeyed across various states during her formative years, Sanchita Bannerjee Rodrigues eventually found her roots in Goa after marrying a Goan. Her diverse experiences, from her studies to working with an Italian multinational company, have shaped her into a multifaceted individual. Today, while she thrives in the hospitality industry, her true passion lies in animal welfare. As the driving force behind the PAWS animal shelter in Panaji, she dedicates much of her time and resources to the well-being of stray animals, embodying a life of compassion and commitment.
When Sanchita Rodrigues first arrived in Goa after her marriage, she quickly realized that job opportunities in the state were limited, with hospitality and mining being the dominant industries. “I decided to join the hospitality industry since mining was not my cup of tea,” she recalls. Sanchita began her career in hospitality as part of the pre-opening team at Goa Marriott Resorts, starting as the Business in charge of the Business Centre. Despite it being her first foray into hospitality, she successfully navigated the challenges and completed six years at the Marriott before moving on to the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) in 2004.
“It was the first IFFI in Goa, brought by Mr. Parrikar, and I was part of the team setting up the cell,” Sanchita shares, explaining that she was on a one-year contract. Once her time with ESG concluded, she joined Cidade de Goa, where she remained for seven fruitful years before transitioning to Vivanta Panaji.
Her tenure at Vivanta was brief, as she was soon called by Mr. Parrikar to join his office. When he was appointed the Defense Minister, Sanchita moved with him to Delhi. However, when Parrikar returned to Goa as Chief Minister, she chose to stay in Delhi and took on the role of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for Ms Smriti Irani. After nearly eight years in government service, Sanchita decided to return to Goa, driven by the high burnout she experienced.
Upon her return to Goa, Sanchita found herself back at the beginning, seeking a position in the hospitality industry. “I went to Marriott and Taj with my résumé in hand, and within a couple of hours, Anmol [Anmol Ahluwalia] called me to meet him,” she recalls. After completing her cooling-off period, she joined Fort Aguada Beach Resorts under Anmol Ahluwalia’s leadership. “I’ve always been in the sales department,” she notes, “but during that time, the hotel was opening three restaurants, and they asked me to move into the PR and Marcomm department.”
“In 2004, I became a Trustee of the PAWS Animal Shelter and began taking on a larger role in animal rescue and welfare,” Sanchita Rodrigues shares, reflecting on her deepening commitment to the cause. She became particularly aggressive in fundraising efforts, recognizing that this was crucial for supporting initiatives like animal rescue and sterilization. “Fundraising was a major challenge, but I feel I’m quite good at it. The state government only funds sterilization, so all other expenses for procedures have to be covered by us.”
Sanchita’s journey in animal welfare was not without its challenges. She faced significant hurdles, opposition, and backlash from those who were unsympathetic to the plight of stray animals, often viewing them as dangerous. “When we went for rescues, people would start fighting with us,” she recalls. “It took a lot of time and patience to educate people that we would handle everything and that they didn’t need to do anything.” A turning point came when the government passed a law mandating that every district must have a District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), with the district collector serving as the de facto chairperson. “This law was a huge relief for us. It made people more cautious about harming stray animals, as the collector could now issue orders, and the police would take appropriate action against culprits.”
In 2003, the Panjim Municipality launched “Mission Chaka Chak,” an initiative led by then-administrator Sanjit Rodrigues to clear dustbins from the city and keep Panaji clean. While this initiative reduced the nuisance caused by strays rummaging through garbage, it inadvertently led to an increase in dog bites as the animals, deprived of their food source, became more desperate. This prompted PAWS to expand its shelter and intensify sterilization efforts to address the growing issue. Sanchita’s leadership during this period was instrumental in transforming the landscape of animal welfare in Panaji, balancing the needs of the community with the well-being of stray animals.
When asked how she managed to balance a full-time job with her dedication to animal welfare, Sanchita Rodrigues responded with a simple yet profound philosophy: “I believe that where there is a will, there is a way. You have to make time if you wish to do something you love.” She shared how she would often pick up accident cases after office hours, dedicating her Sundays, off days, and holidays entirely to animal welfare. “Many times, before going to the office, I check on the cases I’ve admitted, and I do the same after work,” she explained.
Sanchita’s commitment extends beyond just her time. She actively appeals to people to donate old linens, such as torn bedsheets, towels, old newspapers, and cartons. She has also built a network within the medical community to secure better rates for the shelter’s medical supplies. “I even collect discarded linens from Taj properties around Goa. My car is always filled with old newspapers—on Friday evenings, I collect them from the office, and on Sunday mornings, I deliver them to the shelter,” she recounted. Her story is a testament to her tireless dedication and resourcefulness, making a tangible difference in the lives of countless animals.
As mentioned earlier, Sanchita devotes her entire salary to the welfare of stray animals. “I didn’t want to work just to feed myself—my husband is more than capable of taking care of me. I work so that I can spend that money on the welfare of stray animals,” she explains. Sanchita passionately believes that everyone can contribute in their own way. “All of us can do something within our power. If you wish to help, there are many ways—you can volunteer with us at the shelter, or donate things you no longer use for the welfare of stray animals. I believe that everybody can do something if they wish to,” she concludes, encouraging others to join her in making a difference.
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