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Chandigarh, Oct 30 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday said cow devotees should launch public awareness campaigns for the safety of cows as serving them is “everyone’s moral responsibility”.
He appealed to the people not to leave cows on the roads and actively participate in the efforts to make cow shelters self-reliant.
He also urged residents to use products made from cow dung and cow urine. The Chief Minister announced Rs 21 lakh from his discretionary fund to Shri Krishna Gaushala in Karnal, where he was speaking at the Gopashtami celebrations.
While wishing Gopashtami, he said that this holy day of Indian Sanatan tradition connects people with culture, brotherhood and compassion.
“Gopashtami is not just a festival but a symbol of kindness, service and sense of duty.”
CM Saini said the cow “has both social and spiritual significance and has always been associated with wealth and prosperity. In ancient times, a person’s wealth was measured by the number of cows he owned”.
According to mythology, Kamadhenu, the divine cow, was one of the 14 precious gems that emerged from the churning of the ocean by the gods and demons.
Another legend tells that when Lord Shri Krishna raised Govardhan Mountain to protect the cowherds, Lord Indra sought refuge from it on the eighth day. Then Indra anointed Lord Krishna with Kamadhenu and gave him the title of Govind. Since then the eighth day is celebrated as Gopashtami.
The Chief Minister said that the cow is considered a divine and spiritual creature and is revered as a mother.
“Cow milk is considered like nectar. Scientific studies have proven that native cow milk is highly beneficial for health and is considered as nutritious as mother’s milk.”
CM Saini said that the government has taken several initiatives for the development of cow sheds, protection of cattle and promotion of natural farming.
Eleven years ago, ‘Gau Seva Aayog’ used to get a grant of only Rs 2 crore, but after the BJP government came to power, this amount has continuously increased.
The government has now allocated Rs 600 crore for cow conservation and promotion. He said that in 2014 there were 215 registered gaushalas in the state housing 1.75 lakh cattle, while today there are 686 gaushalas housing more than four lakh cattle.
The process of purchasing 800 e-rickshaws for cow shelters is underway. The government is also providing electricity to gaushalas at Rs 2 per unit and stamp duty on land registration for gaushalas has been abolished.
He said that strict laws have been made to ensure the safety of cows. “There is a provision of 10 years’ imprisonment for cow slaughter and seven years’ imprisonment for cow smuggling,” he said.
–IANS
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