BJYM hails move to ban cow slaughter

Source: The Hindu

HYDERABAD Feb. 23. Welcoming the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee's proposal to ban cow slaughter, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha has appealed to all the political parties to cooperate with the Government in bringing about legislation on the issue.

The Morcha launched an attack on the Congress for allegedly indulging in a poster campaign against Mr. Vajpayee in Madhya Pradesh claiming that the ban move was aimed at misleading the people in the light of the elections to the Assembly scheduled this year. ``With the Congress base set to erode in Madhya Pradesh, the party has launched the campaign portraying the Prime Minister as consuming cow meat,'' the all India president of the BJYM, G. Kishan Reddy said.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, the BJYM all-India president said that it was in fact the Congress which colluded with the managements of the mechanised slaughterhouses and stalled the struggles against cow slaughter by different sections of society.

``The Congress has no moral right to speak about cow slaughter or criticise the Prime Minister who stood in the forefront in the struggles against cow slaughter. With the party's defeat in Gujarat, the Congress is indulging in vote-bank politics in Madhya Pradesh where elections are scheduled to be held this year.''

By R. Prasad
Source: The Hindu

CHENNAI, FEB. 2. Cow's milk is one of the best sources of many vital nutrients essential for the body. However, it can cause allergy in infants less than a year old, especially when allergies such as asthma run in the family.

Incidentally, infant milk formula now available in the market offers no solace either. ``There is no infant milk preparation which contains predigested milk proteins catering specifically to the requirements of the baby between the ages of six and 12 months,'' R.K. Chandra, director, WHO Centre for Nutritional Immunology, Delhi, said.

Problems arise due to the presence of proteins such as Casein and Whey, which cannot be digested by the baby. ``An ideal infant milk formula should have predigested milk proteins that will not be recognised as a foreign body by the baby's defence system,'' Prof. Chandra said.

Nearly 20 per cent of the babies have a family history of allergy. Their chances of being affected by milk proteins is as high as 85 per cent when both the parents have a history of asthma and nearly 55 per cent when one of the parents has it.

Soya milk preparations available in the market take care of this problem. ``These preparations do not contain Casein or Whey proteins and are harmless for the babies,'' says R. Sridharan, Consultant Allergist at the Chennai Kaliappa Hospital.

Comments: Please read article on "Cow milk for infant feeding" under 'Documents' in this site www.love4cow.com

Source: The Hindu

THE U.S. Patent Office (USPTO) grants thousands of patents every week, and yet, the U.S. Patent, 6410059, titled "Pharmaceutical Compositions containing Cow urine Distillate and An Antibiotic" issued to S.P.S. Kanuja and 13 others and assigned to the Council of Scientific And Industrial Research (CSIR), attracted global attention. The Minister For Science And Technology, Government of India, at a Press Conference, said that the U.S. Patent made him realise that all traditional practices from Indian Systems of Medicine have a strong scientific base.

Traditional medicines , whether from Ayurveda or Siddha are based on classical texts and systems, practices and products handed down over generations going back to Charak, Sushrutha, Vagabhatta, the Ashtangahridaya and the Samhitas.

Combining the so-called cow urine distillate (the term distillate itself is a misnomer, since the material used is the residue, not the distillate), with antibiotics, is no exception. Combining this material in liquid or lyophilised powder form with modern drugs is irrational, since we do not know anything about the relative bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of the components. In-vitro experiments alone have little relevance, since activity in-vivo, largely depends on plasma levels, which in turn are related to serum binding properties and absorption. The bio-enhancers known today, including Piperine, generally affect metabolising enzymes which are specific and which are stimulated (when the metabolite is the active moiety) or inhibited (when the intact molecule is the active species). It is not to say that mammalian urine does not contain useful constituents; in fact ACTH was isolated from pregnant female urine, other constituents include various enzymes, amino acids and Erythropoetin.

A statement has been made that the grant of a U.S. Patent has given the ultimate stamp of approval for Indian Systems of Medicine and vindicates them, since they have been tested by modern scientific methods. The grant of a U.S. Patent or any other patent, for that matter, does not guarantee the validity of the scientific evidence presented or even the validity of the patent itself. That is the reason why the validity of a patent can be challenged at any time during the entire life of the patent. We, ourselves have the experience of the Turmeric patent revoked through efforts of CSIR.

While we do need to take into account the results of experiments carried out on cow urine `distillate', neither the reported experiments nor the grant of the U.S. patent vindicates the use of cow urine as a bio-enhancer. Much more needs to be done before we can even consider its potential utility. In the meanwhile, care should be taken to see that the results published or the patent granted do not lead to proliferation of quack medicine using cow urine, claiming legitimacy from the traditional or modern systems of medicine, let alone the U.S. patent.

M. D. Nair.

Gujarat passes bill against cow slaughter

Source: The Hindu

GANDHINAGAR, MARCH 29. The Gujarat Assembly today unanimously passed an amendment Bill declaring cow slaughter illegal and punishable in the State under the draconian Prevention of Anti- Social Activities Act (PASA).

This is in keeping with the BJP Government's election promise. The Opposition Congress(I) members not only whole- heartedly supported the measures, but were virtually vying with the BJP members to prove that they were greater lovers of cows and were more concerned about preventing illegal slaughter.

The lone dissent came from an Independent member, Mr. Usmangani Devdiwala, one of the two minority community members. He supported the protection of cows and its progeny but expressed concern over the harassment of the minority community in the name of cow protection. The Congress(I) members, including the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Amarsinh Chaudhary, urged the Government to ensure that Sangh Parivar activists were not allowed to take law into their own hands and harass the minority community. He cited the recent incidents in Ahmedabad and some other parts of the State on the eve of Bakrid when self-styled protectors of cows caused a riot in which at least one person was killed. While the amendment Bill has also brought under its purview invocation of the PASA against gambling dens, the debate in the House was mostly focussed on cow slaughter with all sections of the House justifying the PASA.

SUNDAY TIMES OF INDIA New Delhi, March 30, 2003

OUT OF COURT

COW, one of the most docile inhabitants of the animal world, occupies a special place in the hearts of a vast majority of our people. She figures in our Constitution, which by its Directive Principle (Article 48) requires states to adopt measures to prohibit cow slaughter. Legislation banning cow slaughter has been assailed in the Supreme Court which has declared some provisions unconstitutional.

Source: The Hindu

While one must respect the sentiments of those who worship cow and regard her as their mother, to take offence to the objective study of history just because the facts don't suit their political calculations is yet another sign of a society where liberal space is being strangulated by the practitioners of communal politics. [text Tag=blue-tint][/Text]PROF. D. N. JHA, a historian from Delhi University, had been experiencing the nightmares of `threats to life' from anonymous callers who were trying to prevail upon him not to go ahead with the publication of his well researched work, Holy Cow: Beef in Indian Dietary Traditions.

As per the reports it is a work of serious scholarship based on authentic sources in tune with methods of scientific research in history. The book demonstrates that contrary to the popular belief even today a large number of Indians, the indigenous people in particular and many other communities in general, consume beef unmindful of the dictates of the Hindutva forces.

It is too well known to recount that these Hindutva forces confer the status of mother to the cow. Currently 72 communities in Kerala - not all of them untouchables - prefer beef to the expensive mutton and the Hindutva forces are trying to prevail upon them to stop the same.

Not tenable

To begin with the historian breaks the myth that Muslim rulers introduced beef eating in India. Much before the advent of Islam in India beef had been associated with Indian dietary practices. Also it is not at all tenable to hold that dietary habits are a mark of community identity.

A survey of ancient Indian scriptures, especially the Vedas, shows that amongst the nomadic, pastoral Aryans who settled here, animal sacrifice was a dominant feature till the emergence of settled agriculture. Cattle were the major property during this phase and they offered the same to propitiate the gods. Wealth was equated with the ownership of the cattle.

Many gods such as Indra and Agni are described as having special preferences for different types of flesh - Indra had weakness for bull's meat and Agni for bull's and cow's. It is recorded that the Maruts and the Asvins were also offered cows. In the Vedas there is a mention of around 250 animals out of which at least 50 were supposed to be fit for sacrifice and consumption. In the Mahabharata there is a mention of a king named Rantideva who achieved great fame by distributing foodgrains and beef to Brahmins. Taittiriya Brahman categorically tells us: `Verily the cow is food' (atho annam via gauh) and Yajnavalkya's insistence on eating the tender (amsala) flesh of the cow is well known. Even later Brahminical texts provide the evidence for eating beef. Even Manusmriti did not prohibit the consumption of beef.

As a medicine

In therapeutic section of Charak Samhita (pages 86-87) the flesh of cow is prescribed as a medicine for various diseases. It is also prescribed for making soup. It is emphatically advised as a cure for irregular fever, consumption, and emaciation. The fat of the cow is recommended for debility and rheumatism.

With the rise of agricultural economy and the massive transformation occurring in society, changes were to be brought in in the practice of animal sacrifice also. At that time there were ritualistic practices like animal sacrifices, with which Brahmins were identified. Buddha attacked these practices. There were sacrifices, which involved 500 oxen, 500 male calves, 500 female calves and 500 sheep to be tied to the sacrificial pole for slaughter. Buddha pointed out that aswamedha, purusmedha, vajapeya sacrifices did not produce good results. According to a story in Digha Nikaya, when Buddha was touring Magadha, a Brahmin called Kutadanta was preparing for a sacrifice with 700 bulls, 700 goats and 700 rams. Buddha intervened and stopped him. His rejection of animal sacrifice and emphasis on non-injury to animals assumed a new significance in the context of new agriculture.

The threat from Buddhism

The emphasis on non-violence by Buddha was not blind or rigid. He did taste beef and it is well known that he died due to eating pork. Emperor Ashok after converting to Buddhism did not turn to vegetarianism. He only restricted the number of animals to be killed for the royal kitchen.

So where do matters change and how did the cow become a symbol of faith and reverence to the extent of assuming the status of `motherhood'? Over a period of time mainly after the emergence of Buddhism or rather as an accompaniment of the Brahminical attack on Buddhism, the practices started being looked on with different emphasis. The threat posed by Buddhism to the Brahminical value system was too severe. In response to low castes slipping away from the grip of Brahminism, the battle was taken up at all the levels. At philosophical level Sankara reasserted the supremacy of Brahminical values, at political level King Pushyamitra Shung ensured the physical attack on Buddhist monks, at the level of symbols King Shashank got the Bodhi tree (where Gautama the Buddha got Enlightenment) destroyed.

One of the appeals to the spread of Buddhism was the protection of cattle wealth, which was needed for the agricultural economy. In a way while Brahminism `succeeded' in banishing Buddhism from India, it had also to transform itself from the `animal sacrifice' state to the one which could be in tune with the times. It is here that this ideology took up the cow as a symbol of their ideological march. But unlike Buddha whose pronouncements were based on reason, the counteraction of Brahminical ideology took the form of a blind faith based on assertion. So while Buddha's non-violence was for the preservation of animal wealth for the social and compassionate reasons the counter was based purely on symbolism. So while the followers of Brahminical ideology accuse Buddha of `weakening' India due to his doctrine of non-violence, he was not a cow worshipper or vegetarian in the current Brahminical sense.

Despite the gradual rigidification of Brahminical `cow as mother' stance, large sections of low castes continued the practice of beef eating. The followers of Buddhism continued to eat flesh including beef. Since Brahminism is the dominant religious tradition, Babur, the first Mughal emperor, in his will to his son Humayun, in deference to these notions, advised him to respect the cow and avoid cow slaughter. With the construction of Hindutva ideology and politics, in response to the rising Indian national movement, the demand for ban on cow slaughter also came up. In post-Independence India RSS repeatedly raised this issue to build up a mass campaign but without any response to its call till the 1980s.

While one must respect the sentiments of those who worship cow and regard her as their mother, to take offence to the objective study of history just because the facts don't suit their political calculations is yet another sign of a society where liberal space is being strangulated by the practitioners of communal politics. We have seen enough such threats and offences in recent past - be it the opposition to films or the destruction of paintings, or the dictates of the communalists to the young not to celebrate Valentine's Day, etc., - and hope the democratic spirit of our Constitution holds the forte and any threat to the democratic freedom is opposed tooth and nail.

Prof. RAM PUNIYANI
A member of EKTA (Committee for Communal Amity), Mumbai

Comments: Please read article on "Cow and Vedas" under 'Documents' in this site www.love4cow.com to know other views on beef eating.

Nature's gift to produce good humus

Source: The Hindu

The rich vermicompost will be ready in about 75 days.

SCIENTISTS AT the International Crops Research for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) have conducted a series of field trials with vermi composting and have found that it was an efficient, eco-friendly and economic means to restore the soil health and improve crop productivity in the semi-arid tropics.

"Earthworms can serve as efficient tools to minimize the time of humification of organic material, optimise the production and to reduce the nutrients loss during the course of decomposition. They are `nature's ploughman' and they form nature's gift to produce good humus, which is the most precious material to fulfil the need of crops," says Dr. S.P. Wani, Principal Scientist and Regional Coordinator of ICRISAT. The Vermicomposting project is funded by the Asian Development Bank, the Philippines and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai.

The ICRISAT study showed that earthworms multiplied drastically when raised with tree leaves, pigeon pea leaves mixed with cow dung when compared to cow dung alone. Application of vermicompost to tomato crop in farmers' field in Adrasha watershed in Kothapally, Andhra Pradesh, showed that the compost application at 3 tonnes per hectare and 5 tonnes per hectare significantly increased the yield as compared to control, according to Dr. Wani.

ICRISAT is popularising vermicomposting in cement rings of 90 cm diameter and 30 cm height, in Adrasha watershed. Only burrowing type of earthworms (Eisenia spp and Eudrilus spp) were used. These earthworms are red or purple, live on the soil surface, and eat 90 per cent of organic waste materials. A host of agricultural residues, animal wastes and biogas slurry were used. The bottom of cement ring was covered with a polythene sheet. A 15-20 cm-layer of organic waste was spread over the sheet. Small quantities of powdered rock phosphate were sprinkled over this mass. Then cow dung slurry was sprinkled. On top of this was laid another thick layer of organic residue, and the entire heap was sealed with a paste of cow dung or soil, and allowed to decompose for 20 days.

Selected numbers of earthworms were released into the rings through the cracks on top of the heap.
The cement rings were then covered with wire mesh or gunnysacks to protect the earthworms from predatory birds. Water was sprinkled regularly to maintain adequate moisture and body temperature of the earthworms. To prepare vermicompost in this type of cement rings, about 50 kg dry organic wastes, 15 kg cow dung slurry, 2 kg rock phosphate and 500-750 earthworms were required. About five litres of water was sprinkled once in three days.

In about 60-75 days the vermicompost was ready. The black and light vermicompost was odourless and rich with nutrients.

When the compost was ready, it was scooped out of the rings, and heaped to form a conical mound. In about two to three hours, the earthworms moved to the bottom portion, and the rest of the manure was removed, and sieved.

The earthworms were used again for the next batch of vermicomposting. In general, vermicompost contain 1-1.5 per cent nitrogen, 0.8 per cent phosphorus and 0.7 per cent potassium.
Besides a number of micronutrients in easily available forms, a large population of beneficial microorganims and biologically active metabolites, particularly gibberellins, cytokinins and auxins were found in the vermicompost, according to Dr. Wani.