Maneka Sanjay Gandhi
Founder & Chairperson, People For Animals
Bio
Maneka Sanjay Gandhi is one of India’s most enduring and influential public figures, known for her pioneering work in animal welfare, environmental reform, and human rights. In 1980, she established the country’s first animal shelter, laying the foundation for a nationwide movement. As Founder and Chairperson of People for Animals, India’s largest animal welfare organisation, she has created a network of hospitals, ambulances, and rescue services that save thousands of animals daily, while also driving policy reform in wildlife protection, laboratory testing, and humane animal management.
Her role in constitutional history is equally significant. The landmark Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) judgment is a cornerstone of Indian jurisprudence, expanding the meaning of Article 21 to guarantee that liberty can only be curtailed by just, fair, and reasonable procedures.
Her NGO Rugmark abolished child labour in the carpet industry. The consumer movement benefited from the now ubiquitous Red and Green Dot that marks all edible items.
With eight terms in the Lok Sabha, she was India’s longest-serving woman Member of Parliament, combining legislative authority with grassroots activism. She opened the first and only disability equipment making centre in the country called ALIMCO. In 2025, she received the Neuro Inclusive Politician Award from the Neurodiversity Foundation, recognising her vision in establishing the National Trust for Persons with Disabilities in 1999 and her sustained commitment to inclusive rights.
A prolific author, judicial activist, and former Union Cabinet Minister, Mrs. Gandhi has legislated humane policies, led landmark court reform, authored books on plants and animals, mythology, and etymological dictionaries, and produced acclaimed media programs on animal rights. Her enduring legacy continues to reshape how India cares for animals, protects individuals, and upholds compassionate justice.
Personal Quote:
“Every act of kindness to humans and non humans is an investment in the future. The dividends are peace, harmony, and the survival of the planet itself. - Maneka Sanjay Gandhi”