AP Governor advises vets to preserve livestock tradition

KURNOOL: Governor S. Abdul Nazeer underlined that livestock keeping is a centuries-old, invaluable tradition of ancient India. He appealed to young veterinary doctors to practice their profession faithfully in keeping with these traditions and principles of ethics.

Addressing the 12th Convocation of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University at Tirupati on Saturday, he emphasised that there is no power greater than youth and no force stronger than a young man’s will. He asked the young doctors to use their creativity and progressive ideas for moulding themselves into dutiful citizens.

The Governor emphasised that one must be aware of Article 51A (g) of the Constitution, which places a duty on the citizens of India to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures. In this context, he recalled Mahatma Gandhi saying that the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

Abdul Nazeer said the human-animal relationship dates to the Harappan Civilization. Sheep and goats were the first domesticated animals in the Indian subcontinent. The country’s agriculture had been based on the utilisation of cows and their progeny, both in agriculture fields and otherwise.

He said Sage Dhanwanthri is said to have made a great medicine called Panchagavya, consisting of cow milk, cow ghee, cow curd, cow urine and cow dung. He pointed out that the Animal Welfare Board of India has also started promoting the use of Panchagavya as a programme since 1998. He said our immunity from diseases, prosperity, livelihood, quality-yield agriculture and pollution-free environment depends to a significant extent on our cattle.

The Governor said in recent days, the livestock sector is facing a range of challenges, including climate change, emerging diseases, competition for natural resources and evolving demand for animal-source foods. He observed that genetic diversity of livestock is a key resource for allowing livestock owners to address these challenges.

Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University vice-chancellor Prof. M.R. Saseendranath, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University vice-chancellor Prof. V. Padmanabha Reddy, members of the board of management, academic council and faculty, university officials, and recipients of degrees and medals participated in the convocation.