BANGALORE: The Veterinary Hospital premises at Cantonment Area, on Sunday, wore a festive look with enthusiastic farmers from Anekal, Malur, Devanahalli, Ejipura, Magadi Road, Hosur and around Bangalore city participating at the annual cow milking competition.
Embracing his cow Pradip Devegowda from Adugodi, the proud first prize winner who milked 38.68 litres of milk on Sunday (totally in the morning and evening) seemed to be on top of the world. He said: “I am so elated. This cow has been our bread earner and would do anything to rear it in the best possible manner.” It was not just the participants, a huge crowd had gathered with keen interest to witness the gala event organised by the Department of Animal and Veterinary Services, in association with Bangalore Mahanagara Gopalakara Sangha. Said a 55-year-old Arjun, resident of Vasanth Nagar: “It is very interesting to watch the enthusiasm of the cow owners.
It is like an annual fair, I come to watch this every year.” For small kids, it seemed to be yet another feeling of joy.
Getting bottles and cans, they seemed to be running to their home with filled milk which they were being provided for free. Ritika, a seven-year- old girl, who was running out with a can full of milk in her hand smilingly said: “I have already taken one bottle of milk a while ago. This is for the second time I have come.” The tag IT City or the Silicon Valley of India that namma city Bangalore has been adorned with, too seemed to get widened with farmers getting equal recognition.
“Encouraging farmers has been our main motive and we have been conducting this event for the past 32 years”, said Dr Kantaraj, Assistant Director, , Department of Animal and Veterinary Services.