INDIA: HUG A COW FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

India’s animal welfare department is asking citizens to mark Valentine’s Day this year as “Cow Hug Day” to better promote Hindu values. The Animal Welfare Board of India said that “hugging cows will bring emotional richness and increase individual and collective happiness.” Devout Hindus worship cows as holy, and believe Valentine’s Day goes against traditional Indian values. The Hindu nationalist government has been pushing a pro-Hindu agenda, even in a nation known for its religious diversity. But the cow has long been embedded in the Hindu psyche and is deeply respected by many similar to one’s mother.
* “I couldn’t find a cow, so I’m going to hug you, Mom.” Nice.
* Buy them a box of chocolates. Milk chocolate – cows like to know they’re appreciated.
* Hallmark stores in India have special Valentine’s Day cards for cows: “Roses are red / Violets are blue / Please don’t eat them.”
* So … they want to tilt the attitude toward cows from religious to romantic? Not weird at all.
* I think I’ve milked this story enough.