India is an agrarian country where the majority of population is brought up in the villages. The farmer'sprime source of livelihood is agriculture, which has been responsible for the nation'sgrowth and development. The main factor in agriculture has been the cow and the bovine family. Lord Krishna, by lifting Mount Govardhan on his one finger, had tried to show that prosperity would come only with the increase in the number of cows. We have unfortunately left behind our tradition and beliefs in the race for modernism and taken to using artificial chemical fertilisers as manure. As a result, the production capacity of land has fallen over the years and the farmer has been reduced to a state of either committing suicide or dying of starvation.
The author says that Indian culture is essentially cow culture. In ancient times, the cow was treated with faith, belief and respect. The Vedas have called the cow the provider of our dharma, wealth, karma and salvation. The Atharva Veda has given the highest place to the cow. With India being primarily an agricultural country, the cow has been the basis for the country'sself-reliance. Not only in India but in the entire world, the cow has been playing the role of a provider and saviour. An eminent scientist of Russia, Mr Jorosalam, has claimed that if the hydrogen and the atom bombs were used in a war, then cowdung alone could render them useless.
The author regrets that due to laziness, greed, the mentality of pleasing a particular community and vote-bank politics, not enough attention has been paid to the protection of cows. Shortage of grazing land and continuous cow slaughter are leading to shortage of milk because of which children are not able to get enough nutrition. As a result, the rate of child mortality has increased.
He points out that Lokmanya Tilak had declared that as soon as Independence was achieved, then with the might of the pen slaughtering of cows would be banned in all parts of the country. But 60 years have passed since Independence, yet the slaughter of cows continues unabated.
(M.G.)
(Suruchi Prakashan, Keshav Kunj, Jhandewalan, New Delhi-110055.)
