Chandigarh marked a special moment on Sunday as Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini celebrated his birthday by taking a significant step towards cow welfare. In a heartfelt gesture at Mata Mansa Devi Gaudham in Panchkula, he handed over cheques worth Rs 1.22 crore to 14 cow shelters in the district for fodder expenses.
The event underscored Saini’s long-standing commitment to the sacred service of cows. Accompanied by his wife Suman Saini, he personally fed fodder and jaggery to the animals, performed cow worship, and sought their blessings. He also announced Rs 20 lakh for strengthening the dirt road leading to the ancient Shiva temple on Saketari hill.
Addressing the gathering, Saini highlighted the revered status of cows in Indian culture, often equated to motherhood in ancient scriptures where deities are believed to reside within them. He praised religious and social organizations for establishing gaushalas over the years.
Under his leadership, the Haryana government has ramped up efforts in gaushala development, cow protection, and promoting natural farming. Over the past 11 years, registered gaushalas received Rs 270 crore for fodder. The Haryana Gau Seva Commission budget jumped from Rs 2 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 595 crore this fiscal year.
The number of registered gaushalas has surged from 215 sheltering 1.75 lakh cows to 686 caring for nearly four lakh today. Solar power plants are installed in 330 gaushalas, with the rest soon to follow. This initiative not only preserves tradition but also boosts sustainable rural economies, ensuring fodder security and clean energy for animal care facilities across the state.