Goshala As An Economic Growth Model

Goshala as an Economic Growth Model a Micro Case Study by Dr S.S.Gupta Ph.D., D.Litt Ex-Vice Chancellor, Agra University. Assisted with in puts from Subodh Kumar ( Email [email protected]) Maharishi Dayanand Gosamwardhan Kendra, Delhi-96 Soon after India became independent in 1947, First Five tear Plan (1951) was launched on mixed economy model of Russia. The basic idea was to eradicate poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and disease in the shortest and quickest period of time, and also to lay down sound foundations fro future growth. Since then ten five year plans have gone by and yet these aims are still eluding us. Even to-day more than 30% population lives below the poverty line. Villages which should be the basic source of feeding people and capital formation are drying up. Villagers are committing suicides and deserting villages, only to end up as forced to live like animals on the outskirts of towns in underdeveloped, unrecognized colonies. These five years plans could not achieve two digit growths. They further ended up widening the gap between 10% rich and 90% poor population. Ultimately in 1991 the Planning Commission had to give up completely even the pretence of Russian Model and adopt the free world model. During the last 18 years, even this did not make much difference. Rate of industrial development in the tenth plan was 7.3%. Regional imbalances and population imbalances have increased. Citing a micro study, The Hindustan Times has recently come out with a pathetic picture of Uttar Pradesh. On all fronts the picture is very gloomy to say the least. Corruption is at high pedestal and is continuing to rise further. Crime rate is galloping. There is 1

shortage of all the essentials of infrastructure.-roads, railwayselectricity, good educational institutions, schools for poorer sections of society, health care and hospital facilities and any capital formation. On all fronts we have failed miserably. And this micro study of one state of U. P. is equally true of the entire country. The billion dollar question is: What should be done? The answer is provided in a very convincing way by the ancient Vedic wisdom. In modern terminology, it says ' Life is one'. It can not be segregated in to water tight compartments of Economics, Political, Social, Ethical etc. There must be a balanced and integrated growth of all the compartments with a view to make the common man happy and at peace with himself and his environments. Too much emphasis should not be laid down, as per western model on the material growth.

Indian Traditions for Sustainable Society Indian approach to sustainable society was not in terms of GDP (Gross Domestic Product), but on GNH (Gross National Happiness). The social scientists are still finding definitions of Happiness. The Indian concept defined it as Life Satisfaction. For achieving satisfaction in life, human was expected to lead a life integrated with nature. Yoga was the term. For adult mature life style the prescribed Yoga was Kriya Yog that comprised Tapah, Santosh, Swadhyay and Iswar Pranidhan.

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Integration with nature was conceived in symbiotic relation ship with domestic animals and Organic

Cow for economic growth

ÃÖã×¾Ö¾ÖéŸÖÓ ÃÖã×−Ö¸ü•Ö×´Ö−¦ü Ÿ¾ÖÖ¤üÖŸÖ×´Öª¿Ö„ Ö¾ÖÖ´Ö¯Ö ¾ÖΕÖÓ ¾Öé×¬Ö éúÖãÂ¾Ö ¸üÖ¬ÖÖê †×¦ü¾Ö„…… Šú¾Öê¤ü 1-10-7 Unimaginably famous, convenient, simplest and most easily achievable method to growth of riches and prosperity is by opening and managing large herds of Cows. Agriculture. Famous Rig Ved mantra ascribed to Rishi Krishna Angiras describes it very succinctly.

ÖÖê׳Ö™ü¸êü´ÖÖ´ÖØŸÖ ¤ãü¸êü¾ÖÖÓ, μÖ¾Öê−ÖË Öã¬ÖÓ ¯Öã¹ýÆæüŸÖ ×¾ÖÀ¾ÖÖ´ÖË … ¾ÖμÖÓ ¸üÖ•Ö׳ք ¯ÖÏ£Ö´ÖÖ ¬Ö−ÖÖ−μÖôÖ֍êú−Ö ¾Öé•Ö−Öê−ÖÖ •ÖμÖê´Ö…… Šú 10-43-10 Through Animal Husbandry -Cows, Horses etc. alleviate poverty of the deprived , Feed the hungry through enabled -organic- agriculture. This life style will make the individual prosperous and state rich, to preclude disgruntled folks from following socially destructive activities in life. Goats, Sheep, Cows and Horses were common pets. Virtues of keeping house hold cow as pet were recognized , and extolled at great length. 3

What modern science describes as unsaturated fatty acids in the family of Omega3, providing Essential Fatty Acids DHA (Docosa Hexaenoic Acid) and EPA(Ecosa Pentaeonic Acid) that activate and constitute the human brain functioning, and CLA the conjugated Linoleic Acids, the EFAs that provide disease resistance and immunity to human body. Omega3 and CLA were found to be essentially available in the milk of cattle fed on green fodder. The alternative feeds that can enhance CLA and Omega 3 are by additional richer and modified cattle feed ingredients turn out to be very expensive for the Indian farmers. To ensure the health giving nutritional qualities to Cow milk, thus it becomes very important for us in India to remind ourselves that the traditional Indian strategy of Pasture feeding was the most scientific and economical for the farmers. NewZealand has become the world's leading dairy product nation on the strength Life in rural India thus traditionally revolved around household cows. Cows were not affectionately kept as just pets, on sentimental or religious considerations. Highly nutritious health giving milk in purest form was produced at home. From a living cow dung and urine provided a free source of organic manure, home made large source of medicinal remedies. From a dead cow leather, and very rich fertilizer for soil was made available. In addition to 4

farm yard manure, all the minerals in the dead Cow's body were recycled as micronutrients in the soil. Phosphorus in soil is now recognised to be the most significant of these. In fact Agriculture experts are very worried at the anticipated crisis of phosphorus shortage. The road to happiness thus goes via Cows. The more the cows and more they are happy, the more villages and towns will be happy. Modern economists have already started working on Human Happiness Index in contrast with older concept of Gross Domestic Product as a measure of growth and prosperity of Society. This is convincingly proved by a micro study of a dairy of Delhi. Here are the data that speak for them selves. Table No 1 Herd Population Growth year herd Nos

200102 216

200203 283

200304 283

200405 315

200506 337

200607 365

200708 392

200809 418

1. Total population of herd during the 8 years period has been growing continuously. From 256 in 2001-02, it has increased to 418 in 200809. About 150 young male and female calves 5

have been passed to sister Goshalas . Thus the total herd strength at 2009 can be taken as 418+_150=568. This represents a 221.8% increase in eight years period. This works out to an annual increase of 221.8 divided by8 = 27.7%. 2. During the period 1951 to 2009, the growth rate of India or any part of it, was not even 40% of this. 3. This growth rate includes both the females and males. The value of male calves to the society is of no less importance. They not only provide very good bulls for natural breeding services, but also as motive power for rural agriculture activities. 4. All cattle whether male or female, productive or non productive besides Milk is a constant source of Cow Dung and Urine. Dung is being used as input for bio-methanation. Methane from Biogas is an excellent source of green renewable Power. The biogas slurry is an excellent organic manure for Organic Agriculture. rich in all the micronutrients . No chemical Fertilizer in the world can claim the ability to supply with all the Micronutrients required by agriculture. 5. There is growing body of research in manufacturing of a very large number of value added FMCG (Fast moving consumer 6

goods) toiletries soaps, sanitizing products, room fresheners, mosquito repellants etc. 6. A large number of medicinal and agricultural preparations from Dung and Urine are also enhancing the economic worth of cattle wealth. Table No.2 No of Milch Cows 2001- 2002- 2003- 2004- 2005- 200607 02 03 04 05 06 82 milch 58 79 79 80 82 cows year

200708

200809

90

115

1. Number of Milch Cows , in 8 years went on increasing. From 58 in 2001-02 it increased to 115 in 2008-09, ie an increase of 198.3% in 8 years. This is increase works out to 24.8% per annum. No growth model of the world assures this rate of growth. 2. Milch Cows yield Milk from which a large number of products such as Paneer , Cheese, Yoghurt, butter milk, Butter, Ghee, Ice creams, Confectioneries, Health drinks etc are value added products of great economic value and providing employment to large number of people . Table No. 3 7

Total Milk Production Year

2001- 2002- 2003- 2004- 2005- 2006- 2007- 200802 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 kiloliters 148 175 178 211 225 237 231 284

1.In 2001-02, 58 Milch cows yielded 148 kilo liters of milk, ie about 2.5 kilo liters of milk per cow. This works out to production of 7 liters of Milk per cow averaged over 365 days. 3. In 2008-09. 115 milch cows yielded 284 kilo liters of milk. that is about 2.5 kilo liters of milk per cow, averaged over 365 days it works out to production of about 7 liters of milk per cow. A point to be noted is that is this Goshala had started with an initial herd of about 20 Cross bred cows in 1992-93. Around 2000-20001, decision was taken to gradually convert this herd to Indian breeds of cows. No AI (Artificial Insemination) is practiced in this Goshala. All the natural breeding bulls are not used continuously for more than 4 years, to prevent inbreeding. About 80% of the total herd is estimated to be of Indian breeds. This is being ascertained by DNA testing of the Cows in this Goshala. Indian breeds of cows classified as Bos Indicus have AminoAcid Proline instead of Histedine at the 67th position of their DNA . Sahiwal/Gir is the Indian breed that has been adopted for this Goshala

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