College of Veterinary Science (COVS), Rampura Phul (Bathinda) celebrated World Rabies Day on 28th September 2021. The 
day was dedicated for global awareness about prevention of Rabies. World is celebrating the 15th World Rabies Day with the theme “RABIES: FACTS, NOT FEAR”. On this occasion, a “National Webinar” and a “Free Anti-rabies vaccination camp” were organized. Dr. Manish K. Chatli, Dean, of the college chaired the webinar and welcomed the speakers and participants. In his thematic address, he emphasized the significance of the day to commemorate the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur, who invented the first rabies vaccine. The organizing secretaries, Dr. Sreekala S. Mohandas and Dr. Adarsh Mishra, introduced the speakers and coordinated the webinar. Learned speaker, Padam Shri Dr. Omesh K Bharti, Programme Officer, Directorate of Health Services, Himachal Pradesh deliberated on “Anti rabies vaccination: Need and Future Prospect”. He informed the audiences that 36% of total rabies deaths of the world are happening in India. He asserted about pre and post exposure vaccination strategies and use of equine rabies immunoglobulin therapeutics to eliminate the rabies 
virus. The second speaker, Dr. Naresh Rakha, Senior Scientific Officer, Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar delivered his lecture on the topic “Creating Awareness about Rabies Stress”. He highlighted many myths or misconceptions and false impressions associated with rabies. The webinar was concluded with the concluding remark that rabies can only be controlled under an “One-Health” umbrella by collaborative efforts from human and animal health professionals. Simultaneously, College has also organized “Free Anti-rabies vaccination camp”, Dr. Inderpal Singh, Dr. Dawood A. Nehru, Dr. Gagandeep Singh and Dr. Anavil Bhardwaz, coordinated the camp held in the campus. A lot of enthusiasm was seen amongst the pet owners to vaccinate their dogs on the day. The efforts of the clinicians present on the camp were highly admired by the public. Pet owners urged the organizers to conduct such camps for the interest of the public.
Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, GADVASU emphasized that the control of stray dog population and registration of the pet dogs are important stepping stones for the National Rabies Eradication Programme. He appreciated the endeavors of the college and motivated the faculty to organize more such events in future.
