Nandeeswara Goshala is our destination. We reach there after a 40-minute drive on the National Highway, and then a few minutes on narrow lanes flanked by greenery. It is located at Chennimalaigoundenpudur in Avanashi Taluk, about 30kms from Coimbatore.
The late afternoon sun is beating down hard but the cows are soaking up the sunlight. They moo happily as a truck loaded with corn feed makes its way inside. “There was delay in the arrival of the feed. The cows have been co-operative and quiet. Now, they are happy,” says A. Muthu of Nandeeswara Goshala. He takes care of over 30 cows, all native ones. “The native breeds, like human beings, are sensitive and emotional. These traits are unique to them. A hybrid cow like Jersey will bring the roof down with high-pitched moos when it’s not fed on time,” he laughs.
One can easily recognise a native cow by the hump on its back, and long horns, says Muthu and we stop to take a closer look at Deoni cow, a native breed from North Maharashtra. She has a clear white body and irregular black spots. “Deoni produces nine litres a day (the maximum you can expect from a native breed is about 10 to 15 litres). The native cows always save up a few litres for their young. And, a pregnant one stops secreting milk from the fifth month of conception. In Jersey or HF breed of cows, the milk production goes on till they deliver,” explains Muthu. “We are what we eat. So, when we drink milk produced by the native cow , the A2 milk, we will also imbibe her nurturing ways.”
The Goshala also has other indigenous cows such as Kangeyam from Tamil Nadu, the Gir from Gujarat and the Sahiwal from Punjab. The Tharparkar, a complete white bodied cow from Rajasthan shares space with Red Sindhi (that originated in Pakistan) that is in earthy red and has varying shades of dark red, and white patches…
I give a Gir calf a nice rub. It has floppy ears and a distinct reddish-brown body and an oval face. Muthu says, “It is meditative. Spend a few minutes with a cow and you will feel happy and charged.”
R. Vidyasankar and R. Hariharasudan are also there that day. They supply farm-fresh, adulterant-free milk under the brand name Sai’s milk to people in Coimbatore. They get part of the milk from Nandeeswara Goshala. Vidyasankar says A2 milk comes at a higher cost because there is limited supply.
After the Jallikattu protests, the focus also shifted to the health benefits of A2 milk from native cattle breeds.“Pasum paal is low on cholesterol content, and high on calcium and other proteins. It builds immunity. I have seen positive results in my son’s health. The calcium content helps one to tackle back pain and joint pain. The panchagavya made by mixing cow- dung, urine, milk, curd, and ghee, is believed to have great healing powers. It flushes out poisons from the body.” Muthu supplies about 45 litres of A2 milk to homes in his neighbourhood. “What is needed is more number of native cows to meet the demand. This will bring down the cost too,” he says. Vidyasankar is on the look out for more goshalas he can connect with.“Once we start buying milk regularly from them, it generates revenue. And, we also contribute towards saving the native breeds for the future generation,” he says.
Even a small push from the government will go a long way in boosting native breeds says Muthu. “It costs about Rs. 20,000 a year to maintain a native cow. There is a saying ‘Veetukku oru naatu maadu, noikku oru pootu podu’ (a native cow in every home keeps diseases at bay). Earlier, every house had a gomaatha and enjoyed the positive vibes and good health.”
Muthu says, native cows take time to adjust to strangers. “You have to spend enough time to win its confidence. Only then will it allow you to milk it.” Among the native cows, the Kangeyam bull stands tall. The curved, sharp horns and an erect hump are distinct. “Kangeyam kaalai is a working breed. It can withstand any drought condition. The grey coloured ones are called Garuda Mugam. We can buy native cows atcattle sandhais that happen regularly at Tirupur, Puliayampatti, Pollachi and Kumili. Brazil has become the biggest exporter of Indian breeds. The Kangeyams and Girs are doing so well outside. Here we are still fascinated with exotic breeds. This mindset should change.”
Know more
Vidyasankar supplies 900 litres of farm fresh A1 milk to homes in the city at Saibaba Colony,
R. S. Puram, Race Course, and Vadavalli
A2 milk supply is right now 20 litres a day. Once the capacity is increased to 100 litres, he plans to extend to other areas
To know more, call: 99943-39150/ 88708-50736