To protect indigenous cattle breed and standardise products
Pramod Kumar
“COW herding is not merely an economic activity. It is the symbol of an Indian culture and ethos. Therefore, cow conservation work should be reached out door-to-door, as service to the cow establishes manners in the human society,” said RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat on December 24. He was performing bhoomipujan for the world’s first Kamdhenu Cow Sanctuary (Gau Abhyaranya) at village Salriya of Susner tehsil under Shajapur district of Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and many of his Cabinet colleagues as well as leading personalities of the country were present on the occasion. The project is basically a follow-up action of the Vishwa Mangal Gau Gram Yatra conducted from September 30, 2009 to January 16, 2010. The bhoomipujan of the Sanctuary was performed amidst the chants of Vedic hymns.
According to Akhil Bharatiya Gou Sewa Pramukh of RSS Shri Shankarlal, the Cow Sanctuary spreads over 473 hectare (about 1,180 acre) land and has the capacity to keep at least 5,000 cows. Eight big ponds have been dug-up in the Sanctuary for ensuring safe and adequate drinking water for the cows. The boundary of the Sanctuary is about 14 km long and a complete goushala is coming up here. Mostly the stray cows will be kept here. Apart from the cows, a birds sanctuary will also be developed.
Prominent among those who attended the function included noted gosevaks Shri Kesarichand Mehta, Shri Shankarlal, Shri Meghraj Jain, Shri Shiv Chaube, Shri Ballabhbhai Kathiria. Former Union Minister Satyanarayan Jatia, State BJP president Narendra Singh Tomar and large number of cow herders and managers of the gaushalas were also present on the occasion. Swami Akhileshwarananda, Swami Santosh Giri Maharaj, Sadhvi Pragya Bharati and Shri Kamal Kishore Nagar were also present.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated herders of cows with maximum milk yield. The first prize was given to Santosh Patidar of Ujjain, second prize to Smt Laxmi Bai of Ujjain and the third prize was given to Hallu Yadav of Damoh. Consolation prizes were also given away to seven cow herders. The first, second and third winners were presented the cheques of Rs two lakh, 1.5 lakh and one lakh respectively. Now the State government will felicitate 1,500 gosevaks annually. On this occasion some saints were also felicitated for their outstanding work for cow protection.
Shri Mohan Bhagwat further said the cow should be given space in each household. “Madhya Pradesh government has done the work of imparting Indian values and traditions to the young generation. The government has discharged its duty, now it is the turn of the citizens to take a pledge for discharging their responsibilities towards the cow,” the RSS chief said. Stressing the need for laying down standards for cow products, he said the time has come to restore glory of the Mother Cow. He also stressed the need to develop the sanctuary as a world class research centre.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the world’s unique cow sanctuary would be made a cow pilgrimage centre. He also announced to set-up a Cow Products Research Centre at the Sanctuary. He said a religious tourism circuit would be developed by interlinking Maa Bagulamukhi Mandir at Nalkhera, Pipalya Balaji Mandir at Soyat, Baijnath Mahadev Mandir at Agar with the Cow Sanctuary. He said India’s agriculture-based economy cannot run without cow. He declared that any vehicle transporting bovine animals for slaughter would be confiscated and the guilty would be sent to jail for seven years. He urged the cow breeders not to sell the old cows and instead send them to the gaushala. It would become easier after establishment of the cow sanctuary. They will be looked after over there. He also administered cow protection oath to those present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister said the cows of indigenous breeds would be conserved at the sanctuary. He referred to the State Government’s schemes, which are based on Indian traditions and manners. He made a mention of establishment of a Sanskrit university, Hindi university, Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojna, school syllabus based on religious scriptures and imparting education of Yoga and Shrimad Bhagwat Gita. He said the religious places have been declared holy towns and are also being developed. He also said now no new liquor shop would be opened anywhere in the state.
Animal Husbandry Minister Shri Ajay Vishnoi said the Cow Sanctuary is a concrete initiative to prevent disrespect to the cow. Funds for the gaushalas have been doubled and they have been linked with the MNREGA. He informed that the number of cow breeders’ awards has been increased to 1,500 with a view to promoting breeding of the cows of indigenous species.
Besides, a Vatsa Promotion Yojna has also been chalked-out.
On audience’s insistence, the Chief Minister sang the bhajan “Ram Bhajan Sukhdai”. He released a book containing articles on cow’s cultural and economic importance. A calendar brought out by the Animal Husbandry Department was also released. Biotechnology Minister Shri Kailash Vijaywargiya sang devotional songs on cow. The audience accompanied tunes of bhajans by dancing and clapping.
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