Hyderabad: Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Sunday said cow protection is not merely a religious matter but a collective responsibility. He said the issue has social, economic, cultural and environmental dimensions. According to the Governor, the cow has held a sacred and special status in Indian tradition since Vedic times.
Shukla was the chief guest at the awards and felicitation programme of the State-Level Gau Vignana Pareeksha-2026. The Sanatana Go Sampathi Foundation and the Goseva Department, Telangana, jointly organised the event at Sardar Patel Auditorium in Narayanaguda. The Governor also gave away awards to students who excelled in the examination.
The Governor called the cow a key support for village livelihoods. He said milk, curd, butter and ghee give families essential nutrition. These products also sustain the incomes and well-being of millions of households, he said.
However, he said the value of cattle goes beyond dairy. Cow dung and urine, used traditionally, also support organic farming and help conserve natural resources, he said.
Governor urges people to treat cow protection as a shared duty
Referring to its cultural meaning, Shukla said Indian traditions link the cow with prosperity and the blessings of Ashtalakshmi. He urged people to see cow protection as a shared social responsibility.
He also encouraged students to learn Gau Vignana along with modern agricultural practices. Animal husbandry, dairy processing and rural entrepreneurship were other areas he listed for them.
The Governor suggested that schools and colleges hold regular awareness programmes on cow-based natural farming, animal welfare and rural entrepreneurship. Linking modern science, innovation and technology with India’s traditional knowledge systems would help achieve Atmanirbhar Bharat, he added.
Shukla praised the organisers for using the examination to make students aware of the cow, Indian traditions and environmental protection. He asked the winners to keep learning with commitment and to serve society. He then congratulated them and wished them success.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar attended the programme. Others present included Telangana Prant Sanghchalak B. Sundar Reddy, All India Gau Seva Convenor Ajit Prasad Mahapatra and Programme President Dr. Gummadavelli Srinivas.