by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

Mysore, Jan 26: 'Children and cows are sources of energy on earth. If children grow well, we can build a knowledgeable society and by protecting the cows, we can build a healthy society', said Sri Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji of Sri Ramachandrapura Mutt, Shimoga.

Addressing a press meet at Pathrakarthara Bhavan here this morning, the Seer said 'children are divine and so are cows. The government's move of including milk in the school mid-day meal programme is most welcome. In that backdrop, it would be highly appropriate if the next budget was made cow-friendly'.

He urged the government to supply milk from indigenous breeds of cow to the maximum extent for inclusion in the children's mid-day meal because of its superior quality attributes.

He also pleaded with the State Government to support enterprises to produce gomutra and gomaya without resorting to any cumbersome legislation.

The Seer announced that a world festival of cows will be held at Sri Ramachandrapura Mutt from Apr. 21 in which nearly 25 lakh people are expected to take part and almost all breeds of cow in the world would be on show.