Are we actually literate? If yes, then are we genuinely utilizing it to the best possible way?
Is the literacy rate growing?
We are living in an era where we can proudly say literacy rate is growing day by day. People are celebrating the 'International Literacy Day' in their ways emphasizing on the importance of literacy for every human to lead a dignified life.
But are we literate? If yes, then are we genuinely utilizing it to the best possible way?
Do we care for animals?
There was a time when we cared for animals just like our children and respected them too. Then what is wrong with people now? We are very much concerned about what we want to eat or drink but why do we forget we forget the roots of our food, drinks and the pride of our nation.
We care for ourselves, but what about the other living beings who happen to be animals and cannot raise their voices despite being suppressed and tortured by humans?
Consuming Dairy Products
We consume dairy products daily. Our day starts and ends with a glass of milk or with a dessert made of milk. But do we know how dairy animals are treated behind those shady doors within the city limits? Most of us know that India is the World's largest milk producing country which is something we should be proud of. But this pride should be complete and not partial, which cannot be achieved until and unless we value what our country genetically has.
Do you even know about the best indigenous dairy breeds of India which are the wealth of our country making us the biggest milk producing country worldwide?
While certain species of wild animals have monopolized the attention of significant conservationists, India is losing its wealth of genetic resources in indigenous cattle breeds.
I want to mention a few names of our best breeds so that we can move a step ahead in knowing about our country's real wealth. Though India has a total of 37 indigenous cattle breeds, let me introduce you to five of those who are known for their milking prowess:
1. Sahiwal
2. Gir
3. Red Sindhi
4. Tharparkar
5. Rathi
All of these cows have their unique qualities which make them most desired cattle breeds across our country. Gir cow is an Indian breed but unfortunately been neglected in India. On the contrary, it has profoundly performed exceptionally well in Brazil, while in India, we have been losing out on our indigenous breeds due to crossbreeding.
Branded or non-branded milk
We all have grown up knowing that we get our milk from cattle majorly 'cows,'though after growing up, we got introduced to buffalo milk as well. Cows remain in demand when it comes to milk. But have we ever thought of the quality of milk beyond the packaging (branded) or loose (non- branded)?
There is an urgent need for us to accept what is not right and dump the wrong practices, but to do so, it is very important to be aware of what all wrong things are happening around us. We need to kick out the cruelty happening to our dairy animals who never shy away from providing us milk because they also deserve a life worth living.
They are not meant to stay in dirt and filth. They don't deserve starving and are not the roadside carts to be chained all day long. In fact, they are sentient beings just like us, they are our wealth, and we need to value them before we loose out our genetic charms.
As is rightly said, it’s never too late because whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve. We all can make a difference by asking our dairy brands from where they source their milk. We have to discourage this cruelty- filled dairies residing within the city limits and make them understand that these animals also need space. All we want is at least a decent life for these animals in rural areas where they get some space to roam/ move if not graze.
The only way to bring a change
We can't achieve anything single-handedly. Thus the only way to bring this change is by changing our demands for dairy and start asking for high welfare milk/ dairy products. We have to make these dairy owners/farmers understand about the problem, and they just need to move their businesses out of city limits and see what wonders our indigenous breeds have in store for them.
VALUABLE INPUTS ALWAYS LEADS TO VALUABLE OUTPUTS