The World Veterinary Day 2021 is being celebrated on 24th April, 2021 in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands with the theme for this year "Veterinarian Response to COVID-19 crisis". It is an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of veterinarian towards the health of animals, people and environment.

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus 2 (SARS-Co V-2) changed life as we know it and significantly affected the global human and animal populations. Despite unprecedented circumstances and protective measures animals and Veterinarians should not suffer for want of access, to vital health services. Like people, animals inevitably face the same day-to-day health threats and illness that arise outside a major disease outbreak. In this challenging time with the veterinary medicine meaningfully and rapidly evolved and demonstrating veterinarian's ability to cope, adjust and adapt, I hope they would continue in their role as leaders of animal health, welfare and public health.

On the World Veterinary Day-2021, I take this opportunity to commend the work of veterinarians in protecting animals and human health during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are truly unified by one passion to improve the health and well-being of animals, people in our communities and the ecosystems that we live in.

My best wishes for the "World Veterinary Day" celebrations.

Admiral D K Joshi

PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd)

Lieutenant Governor

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency