Organisation Cares For Old, Sick and Disabled Cattle
INDIA - Members of a non-profit organisation in Asureswar village under Nischintakoili block, give diseased and old cattle a home to prevent them from being sent to abbattoirs, with the support of local villagers.
26 October 2009
2 minute read
At present, the organisation Asureswar Gorakshani houses 108 cattle, including eight blind, five lame and four suffering from serious burn injuries. Some of them also suffer from paralysis.
“The effort of rescuing cattle has been carried out for the last 67 years and villagers, both Hindu and Muslims, play a vital role in nursing the cattle and preventing them from being sent to abattoirs,” said Sk Sabir Ahmad, a member of the organisation.
The Gorakshani (cow shelter) was set up by two villagers - late Jaladhar Nayak and late Afsar Ali. The site chosen for Gorakshani was a graveyard close to a slaughter house that was closed down after Gorakshani came up.
The first inmate of the shelter house was an old ox. One Dhadi Das of Mallipur village had sold the animal to Rafik Khan, a butcher for Rs 4 and 10 annas. The ox had become immobile after losing one of its legs. Moved by the struggle of the ox, along with abuse meted out to it, Mr Ali took it upon himself to give a decent living to the neglected cattle. He approached Mr Khan and bought the ox for Rs 5. The ox was nursed in the shelter. Soon the residents of adjacent villages brought their old and disabled cattle to the shelter.
The organisation, recognised by the Animal Welfare Board of India, has an annual budget of around Rs 3.8 lakh. However, it receives no help from the State Government or any private institution. The expenses are mainly met from contributions by villagers.
Sales of rice, milk and cow dung raise money for the organisation.
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