Ahead of the Valentine’s Day, the Animal Welfare Board of India on Wedneday urged citizens to observe February 14 as “Cow Hug Day”, describing the animal as “the backbone of Indian culture and rural economy.”
“It is known as ‘Kamdhenu’ and ‘Gaumata’ because of its nourishing nature like mother, the giver of all providing riches to humanity,” reads the opening paragraph of the appeal.
The board has claimed that hugging cows will “bring emotional richness” and will “increase our individual and collective happiness”. The appeal has now received mixed reactions from Twitter users.