The Animal Welfare Board of India under the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying have issued a notice and urged people to celebrate ‘Cow Hug Day’ on February 14.

The welfare board said that the cow is the “backbone of Indian culture and rural economy”, adding that the animal represents “cattle wealth and biodiversity.”

“It is known as “Kamdhenu” and “Gaumata” because of its nourishing nature like mother, the giver of all providing riches to humanity,” it said.

According to the Statement “In view of the immense benefit of the cow, hugging with cow will bring emotional richness hence will increase our individual & collective happiness. Therefore, all cow lovers may also celebrate February 14 as Cow Hug day keeping in mind the importance of mother cow and making life happy and full of positive energy”.

The board said that vedic traditions are “almost on the verge of extinction due to the progress of western culture over time.”