Cow Hug Day

The Animal Welfare Board of India has recommended observing February 14 as ‘cow hug day’. The announcement has been met with incredulity and a profusion of memes on social media, but experts, including psychologists, do say that the therapeutic benefit and mental wellbeing generated by snuggling up to a cow is being recognised worldwide.

As the animal welfare board of India (AWBI) made, and then quickly withdrew its call to observe ‘cow hug day’ on February 14, Sunil Mansinga, one of the members of the board, says there’s hardly any relevance in dedicating one day to the cow.

In Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna is often associated with cows. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna is depicted as the protector of cows. He is said to have a deep affection for cows, and he is often depicted playing his flute surrounded by cows in a pastoral setting.

Amid criticism in various quarters, including from netizens, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), a statutory advisory body on animal welfare laws, on Friday withdrew its appeal to celebrate February 14 as “cow hug day”, saying it was doing so on direction from the government.

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".

After all-round criticism, the government has withdrawn its appeal to celebrate February 14 as cow hug day. But, be rest assured it won't be the last time we hear of such days

Does the cow need a hug or more care? Cows roam the city streets, consuming plastic bags as they forage for food, malnourished and infested with diseases.

A cow expresses feelings of anguish that Valentine’s Day will no longer be cow hug day and offers words of bovine wisdom to those who want to worship cows rather than caring for them

So, no hugs, is it? Do you know the pain of an unfulfilled promise, the ache of the expectant, the agony of living amidst the ruins of a shattered dream? Ever since you announced February 14 as ‘cow hug day’, I was in that inexplicable place between anticipation and exhilaration, chewing the cud of love, care and prospective hugs.

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.

Inspired by the now-withdrawn cow hug day proposal for Valentine’s Day, Delhi University’s Lakshmibai College has urged everyone to celebrate February 14 by taking “selfies with trees and animals”.

Even though the Animal Welfare Board of India was quick to withdraw the appeal to celebrate February 14 as ‘cow hug day’ while trying to draw attention towards the bovine, the move nevertheless brought focus on the apathy of Ludhiana municipal corporation that has failed to come out with long-term plans for the upkeep of cows and stray cattle.

College and university students in Kolkata say they will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 14 next week in the traditional way with their partners. They went on to add they will be ignoring any notice from any government agency directing them to do anything otherwise.

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