The award winner Bismi and here husband Anil
It was an awards function with a difference - one inspired by man's best friend and intended to honour those who spend time and money on helping the less fortunate canines.
This year's CJ Memorial Community Guardian award, presented at a function at Cubbon Park in the city this weekend, went to Bismi and her husband Anil, who feed and take care of more than 100 street dogs in Whitefield. They provide the dogs medical attention, get them neutered and even feed them in the middle of the night so as not to disturb other human residents.
The award was set up by Priya Rajagopal-Chetty in memory of her beloved pet dog to recognize those who help street or community dogs with food, healthcare and neutering.
"The award started when my spaniel CJ passed away four years ago. I think from grief comes sublimation and you do what you can to remember what she meant to us. I think we did a lot of better things as human beings because of her, " Ms Rajagopal-Chetty told NDTV
The award winner Bismi said: "Our dog, Buddy, is a puppy mill product. We were not aware of issues like puppy mills. We just went and bought him - and when he started facing health issues we looked at this whole lot of food which is getting wasted. Then we looked around us at the dogs outside..."
From giving Buddy's left over food to street dogs, it went on to cooking for the homeless animals and taking care of their health.
If more people took a compassionate look at the animals with which we share our space, it would benefit both humans and the dogs, said the award winner.