India to celebrate 'Cow Hug Day' on February 14 instead of Valentine's Day

While most people are gearing up to celebrate Valentine's Day with their loved ones, the Animal Welfare Board of India has issued a notice calling upon cow lovers to celebrate February 14 as 'Cow Hug Day', reported Hindustan Times.

As per the aforementioned publication, the Indian government advisory body said that hugging a cow will bring “emotional richness” and will lead to more “individual and collective happiness." The body also criticised the “dazzle of western civilisation," and revealed that this celebration will help preserve Vedic traditions that are “almost on the verge of extinction due to the progress of western culture over time."

“In view of the immense benefit of the cow, hugging with cow will bring emotional richness and hence will increase our individual & collective happiness. Therefore, all the cow lovers may also celebrate February 14 as Cow Hug day keeping in mind the importance of mother cow and making life happy and full of positive energy,” read the advisory's notice.

The welfare board also hailed cows as the "backbone of Indian culture and rural economy", adding that the animal symbolises “cattle wealth and biodiversity.” “It is known as Kamdhenu and Gaumata because of its nourishing nature like mother, the giver of all providing riches to humanity,” it said. The board also stated that the advisory was issued based on the direction of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying of India. 

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