On the auspicious occasion of Gopashtami, HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President of Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh), took part in a special Gau Poojan at the Parmarth Gaushala. On the occasion, Pujya Swamiji reminded us, “The cow is the mother of civilization. She gives and gives like the sun, nurturing many of us since infancy. It is our sacred duty to protect her. Today is the day to begin. Make the vow to stop using plastic bags, which, when eaten by cows, slowly and painfully kills them. And stop using leather, so that India’s precious cows need not be killed only so that we may have nice shoes, sofas and car seats. Let this be a sacred duty remembered by all. Never should we allow anything or anyone to suffer simply for our own comforts.”