New Delhi, India - The Animal Welfare Board of India has issued a notice calling for cow lovers to celebrate February 14th, commonly known as Valentine's Day, as "Cow Hug Day." The government advisory body believes that hugging a cow will bring emotional richness and increase individual and collective happiness.
The welfare board, which was issued on the direction of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, described cows as the backbone of Indian culture and rural economy, and a representation of cattle wealth and biodiversity.
"It is known as 'Kamdhenu' and 'Gaumata' because of its nourishing nature like a mother, the giver of all providing riches to humanity," the board said in a statement.
However, the move by the Animal Welfare Board of India is not without controversy. In the past, the celebration of Valentine's Day in India has been met with resistance from Hindu right-wing groups, who see the holiday as a product of "rotten imported culture" from the West.
Despite this, Indian progressives continue to celebrate the holiday, with mass marketing of Valentine's Day products, such as teddy bears, flowers, and chocolates, becoming increasingly popular.
The Animal Welfare Board of India's call for "Cow Hug Day" may spark discussions and debates on the role of tradition and western influence in modern-day India. Nevertheless, the board remains firm in its belief that embracing the cow will bring emotional richness and happiness to all those who participate.