Sathyasheelan Nair @80 has been feeding doves, crows and squirrel for the past 18 years

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Every morning at Thiruvananthapuram museum, it is an interesting spectacle for bird/animal lovers. One would see 80-year-old Sathyasheelan Nair giving a sumptuous gastronomic treat to a bevy of doves, crows and some squirrels.

As soon as these beings see him, they crowd around him while some of them sit on his lap and shoulder, waiting for him to strew food items on to the grass. Soon it becomes a celebration for them as they voluptuously eat away all that. The usual time he has set apart for this noble act is 7 am. And, for the past 18 years, he has been continuing this service.

How did this love begin?

After retiring from BSNL, Sathyasheelan used to frequent Museum in the evenings. Sometimes he bought roasted groundnut and sat on the grass gracefully munching them.

Soon doves, crows and squirrels started befriending him for a share of the leftovers of what he ate. Eventually, he started buying or bringing items like bread, chappathi, rice, wheat and 'mixture' for them.

Rain or shine he has been continuing this act since then.

For those who meet him every day on Museum premises, he is Pravu Appuppan (Pravu means Dove, Appuppan means granpa). On holidays many children also join him.

Sathyasheelan lives at Vazhuthacaud forest lane. He has also been getting the support of his family for this compassionate act.