LUCKNOW: Going abroad for study and work, and settling there, has become a prominent trend in our country. Numerous surveys indicate that over half of India's youth aspire to go overseas. But can you believe it when you hear that a dog found on the streets is now settling abroad?

Jaya, a female dog from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh is preparing to fly to the Netherlands with her new owner, complete with her passport and visa. Mirel Bontenbel from Amsterdam is all set to take custody of Jaya. Mirel mentioned that she wanted a pet dog and fell in love with Jaya during her visit to Varanasi.

‘I came to learn more about Varanasi. Jaya joined us while we were spending time with friends, and I let her play. Later, Jaya began following us around. Then, one day, Jaya was attacked by another dog. A security guard rescued her. Originally, I didn't plan to adopt Jaya; all we wanted was to get her off the streets. Later, I decided to bring Jaya with me which required several procedures. Jaya needs to remain in India for another six months to secure her visa and passport,’ added Mirel.

India has around 35 million stray dogs and their recent increase in attacks has been making headlines. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also encouraged adopting stray dogs. In his 2020 "Mann Ki Baat" address, he urged people to adopt Indian dog breeds and not discriminate against them. He highlighted that Indian dogs are incredibly loyal and that adopting a dog is like welcoming another family member into the household.