Cow important part of India's tradition, says Modi

New Delhi: Extolling her as “mother”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that cow is an important part of India’s tradition and culture and his government has taken several steps to focus on and improve its health.

Addressing a gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Vrindavan, Mr Modi praised the people of Mathura-Vrindavan, saying “gau sewa” is a tradition in the area, drawing loud cheers.

Mr Modi stressed that his government has created a “security cover” to ensure good heath of children and mothers during the past 55 month of his rule.

“But there is another mother, who has been nourishing us for ages. I want to express my gratitude to her from the land of Gokul. That mother is gau maa. We cannot repay the debt of cow’s (gau mata’s) milk. Cow is an important element of India’s tradition and culture,” he said.

The Prime Minister said his government has started the Rashtriya Gokul Mission to improve the health of cattle. In the Union Budget, he said, his government announced the decision to establish the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog with an allocation of Rs 500 crore for taking care of cows.

Alluding to Lord Krishna’s childhood during his nearly 30-minute speech at the Mandir campus, Mr Modi said, “gau mata” nourished “Bal Gopal” through milk.

“Cows have been an important part of our culture and tradition (Gai hamari sanskriti aur paramaopra ka aham hissa rahi hai). And also an important element of the rural economy,” he said.

The audience repeatedly raised “Gau Mata ki jai” slogans during Mr Modi’s speech.

Mr Modi was in Vrindavan to participate in a programme hosted by Bengaluru-based NGO Akshaya Patra to mark the serving of its 3rd billionth meal.