Valentine's Day: Forget Your Partner, Hug A 'Kamdhenu Cow To Save Indian Culture'
February 14, which is celebrated as Valentine¡¯s Day across the world is just around the corner, and despite all the claims by right-wing groups that such celebrations are 'against Indian culture' most of us look forward to it.
But this year, the Animal Welfare Board of India has urged people to observe ¡®Cow Hug Day¡¯ on February 14.
"We all know that the Cow is the backbone of Indian culture and rural economy, sustains our life, and represents cattle wealth and biodiversity. It is known as ¡®Kamdhenu¡¯ and ¡®Gaumata¡¯ because of its nourishing nature like mother, the giver of all providing riches to humanity,¡± the appeal said.
Vedic traditions under threat due to western culture
The AWBI letter went on to claim that Vedic traditions are on the verge of extinction induced by the ¡®impact of western culture¡¯ over time.
¡°Due to the progress of western culture over time. The dazzle of western civilization has made our physical culture and heritage almost forgotten,¡± it said.
'Benefits' of hugging cow
It further said that hugging a cow will bring emotional richness and happiness.
"In view of the immense benefit of the cow, hugging with cow will bring emotional richness hence will increase our individual & collective happiness. Therefore, all the cow lovers may also celebrate the February 14 as Cow Hug Day keeping in mind the importance of mother cow and make life happy and full of positive energy," the letter said.
India's first cow?cuddling centre
Last year, an NGO in Gurugram had opened what was described as India's first cow cuddling centre.
The Kamdhenu Gowdham and Arogya Sansthan will open their cow cuddling centre in Tauru, Haryana on Sunday.
Cow cuddling in other countries
According to the NGO, cow cuddling is a prevalent practice in several foreign countries including the US, Netherland, Switzerland and the UK.
It said that the cow-cuddling method includes touching the cow-mother, hugging it, sitting with support, caressing its body and breathing with it.
This, the NGO, which is led by retired IAS officer and ex-Chairman of AWBI, SP Gupta said will help in curing several lifestyle and other diseases.
Therapeutic benefits
¡°From this, not only respiratory diseases, blood pressure, spinal pain, heart problems, depression and TB are cured but also, according to psychologists, by this medical practice the sadness, anxiety, all kinds of tensions are cured, mind becomes healthier and there happens to be increase in confidence of human beings,¡± it said in a release.
Other therapeutic benefits the NGO claims cow cuddling has include: hugging a cow could help normalise breathing and hence reduce stress. Further, it is because of the low heart rates of the cow and the temperature of the body is high, a person taking the therapy feels calm and serene.
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