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Bhopal, Oct 21 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday performed Govardhan Puja in his home district Ujjain and later attended a similar event organized at Rabindra Bhawan in Bhopal.
On this auspicious occasion, the Chief Minister extended hearty congratulations and best wishes to the people of the state and gave the message of good health, economic prosperity, family and social harmony and environmental protection.
Govardhan festival, celebrated after Diwali, symbolizes the ancient Indian tradition of reverence for nature, mountains and protection of ‘Gaumata’ (mother cow).
This tradition is vividly depicted by Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan mountain on his finger. Govardhan Puja is performed in sacred memory of this divine act of saving humanity.
The Chief Minister said that Govardhan Utsav inspires conservation and promotion of livestock, which is important for India’s rural economy and environmental protection. It symbolizes an Indian worldview in which there is a balance between nature, animals, humans and divinity.
CM Yadav said in a statement, “I am happy to inform that Govardhan festival is being celebrated across the state. It is being celebrated in all the districts in line with local customs and cultural traditions. During these celebrations, innovators in the field of animal husbandry and dairy production will be honoured.”
On this occasion, an initiative has been started to connect people with the welfare schemes of the Animal Husbandry, Agriculture and Cooperation Department and to promote rural livelihood through expansion of milk production and Vrindavan Gram Yojana.
He said, “We are working to double the income of livestock farmers. Madhya Pradesh currently contributes 9 percent to the country’s milk production and our target is to increase it to 20 percent.”
CM Yadav said that several initiatives have been taken in the state including construction of new cowsheds, increasing per cow subsidy, encouraging cow product entrepreneurs, setting up modern CNG plants using cow dung and collaboration with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
He said, “It is a matter of pride that there are 2,900 gaushalas in Madhya Pradesh, which are benefiting farmers and cattle rearers. Under the Mukhyamantri Gau Seva Yojana, 2,203 gaushalas are currently operational.”
Last year alone, more than 1,000 new cow shelters have been started. Cow shelters have been opened in Gwalior, Ujjain and Indore Municipal Corporation areas to provide shelter and care to cows.
A 10,000 capacity cowshed is under construction on 69.18 acres of land in Bhopal. Currently 6,500 cows are being cared for at the cow sanctuary, research and production center at Salaria in Agar-Malwa district.
–IANS
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