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An Uttar Pradesh Minister on Sunday asked the people of the state to celebrate Valentine's Day by offering cows "gud and roti" and taking their blessings. The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) had last Monday appealed to the public to celebrate February 14 as 'Cow Hug Day'. The directive was later cancelled after the move became the subject of memes on social media. "Valentine's day, known as love day, on Feb 14 should be celebrated by expressing love and faith towards cows by offering them 'gud and roti'. Besides, their blessing should be taken by touching their head and neck," State Animal Husbandry Minister Dharmpal Singh said in a statement. "Gavo Vishwasya Matarah" in vedas means "Cow is the mother of the world," he said. "Therefore, on this day, a resolution should also be taken to serve the mother cow regularly," he added. "Cow products are used in every fast, festival, worship and rituals in Indian society. Cow has been paramount not only because of emotional or religio
Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) on Friday said it has withdrawn the appeal to celebrate February 14 as 'Cow Hug Day' following directions from the government. February 14 is observed as Valentine's Day across the world. "As directed by the competent authority and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the appeal issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India for celebration of Cow Hug Day on 14th February, 2022 stands withdrawn," the board's Secretary S K Dutta said in a notice. It was for the first time that the AWBI had appealed to cow lovers in the country to celebrate 'Cow Hug Day'.
Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday backed the advisory issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India to celebrate 'Cow Hug Day' on February 14 and said everyone should love cows. "It is a good initiative," Singh replied when asked about the advisory. "We should love cows. I am happy that this mission has been started... You should also love cows," he added. The Animal Welfare Board of India has issued a notice appealing to people to celebrate "Cow Hug Day" on February 14 to spread "positive energy" and encourage "collective happiness". The notice said hugging cows will bring "emotional richness" and increase "individual and collective happiness". It also mentioned that Vedic traditions are almost on the "verge of extinction" due to the "progress of West culture" and that the "dazzle of western civilisation has made our physical culture and heritage almost forgotten".
Union Minister Parshottam Rupala on Thursday said it will be good if people respond positively to the call given by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to celebrate February 14 as Cow Hug Day'. Rupala, who is Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, said nothing much should be read into the choice of February 14 as a date for this purpose. February 14 is observed as Valentine's Day across the world. "This country has an age-old tradition of worshipping the cow and it is a matter of great happiness that people embrace the cow It is good if people respond positively to our appeal," the minister told reporters. Since February 14 is a day of love, it is good if people remember and love the cow on that day. "And if someone taunts on this, then one should not feel angry but feel pity...," he added. It is for the first time, AWBI -- a statutory advisory body on animal welfare laws, has appealed to cow lovers in the country to celebrate 'Cow Hug day'. The Board noted th