In the city of Khairthal, an inspiring and unique initiative of dedicated cow service is currently underway. A local resident named Rakesh Sharma has spent the past 25 years selflessly devoting his time and efforts to the welfare of stray, injured, and sick cattle. To give a new lease of life to roaming street animals, he established the Shri Gobindam Gaushala Trust about two and a half years ago. Gradually, around 25 local traders and fellow cow volunteers joined this trust, creating a dedicated team that remains on standby 24 hours a day, seven days a week to treat injured cows whenever needed.
Thirteen Lakh Modern Ambulance and Advanced Treatment
To make this noble mission more effective, Rakesh Sharma and his team arranged a state-of-the-art ambulance costing approximately 13 lakh rupees through public contributions. Whenever the team receives information about a sick or accident-victim cow, they immediately rush to the spot with this ambulance. After administering first aid on-site, the animal is transported to a safe shelter or treatment facility. Cows with severe injuries or broken bones are sent to the Shri Gobindam Sanstha in Jhajjar for specialized surgeries and advanced care by expert veterinarians. The organization claims that this dedicated team has successfully given a new life to over 3,000 cows so far.
Lumpy Virus Outbreak and Questions for the Government Hospital
Amidst these acts of service, fresh concerns regarding the Lumpy virus have emerged in Khairthal. Cow volunteers point out that several roaming animals in the city exhibit thick nodules and wounds on their bodies, which are clear symptoms of the Lumpy disease. Several cows are also admitted to the Lumpy yard of the veterinary hospital. Members of the Shri Gobindam Gaushala Trust have raised serious questions about the management and facilities at the government veterinary hospital. They allege that despite Khairthal having a district-level A-grade hospital, adequate medicines and bandages for treating Lumpy are unavailable, forcing volunteers to purchase medicines from the market using their own money.
Animal Husbandry Department Explains the Situation
Responding to these allegations, Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, PC Yadav, clarified the situation. He stated that the Lumpy disease outbreak arrived in the district about a month ago but is now nearing its end. According to his data, symptoms were detected in a total of 496 animals, out of which 487 have fully recovered. Yadav also acknowledged that due to the absence of a dedicated drug depot in the Khairthal-Tijara district, medicines must be ordered from the old Alwar district, leading to limited supply issues. He has appealed to cattle owners not to leave their animals out in the open, noting that cases will decline further as the winter season progresses.
Unwavering Dedication Despite Administrative Apathy
The entire cost of this service work is funded through public donations and mutual contributions among team members. During any emergency, members immediately put aside their daily routines and engage in cow service. The organization performed remarkable work even during the first wave of the Lumpy outbreak. Despite shortages of medicines and administrative apathy, the enthusiasm of these volunteers remains undiminished. They continue to demand from the administration that basic first-aid medicines must always remain available at the hospital.
