Kundan Kumar, a former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer from Gaya district in Bihar, has started a cow service after taking voluntary retirement from his job. Kumar, who joined the IRS in 1992, served for about 14 years before bidding farewell to his job in 2006. He wanted to work as an owner rather than an employee and contribute to society by providing employment opportunities and promoting the spread of Hinduism. Thus, he started the Shanti Gau Seva Ashram in Vajeerganj, where he employs 5-6 people and takes care of around 50 Gir cows.
Kumar’s ashram is engaged in the rearing of Gir cows, a native breed found in the Gir forests of Gujarat. In addition to the cows in his ashram in Gaya, he also takes care of around 150 Gir cows in Bheelwada. Instead of selling milk, Kumar uses the cow’s milk to make ghee, which is highly priced in the market. The ashram does not tie any cows, and they roam freely, except during milking time. Kumar has given each cow a name and believes that proper care of the Gir breed can result in the cows producing a calf every year for about 15 years.
Kumar’s initiative has not only provided employment opportunities but also helped in the preservation and promotion of the Gir breed. The cows’ ghee, known for its medicinal properties, is highly sought after in the market, with people willingly paying high prices for it. Many people, including women, contribute financially to the care of the cows, and each cow is named after a deity.
गया जिले के रहने वाले कुंदन कुमार ने अपनी नौकरी से वीआरएस लेने के बाद गौ सेवा शुरू की है। 1992 में IRS ज्वाइन करने के बाद उन्होंने 14 वर्षों तक सेवा दी, लेकिन उनका सपना हमेशा से यह था कि वह किसी के नौकर नहीं बल्कि मालिक बनकर काम करें। इसलिए उन्होंने गांव आकर गौ सेवा आश्रम खोला। वहां पर वह 5-6 लोगों को रोजगार देते हैं और गिर गाय का पालन करते हैं। इनके आश्रम में गिर गायों की संख्या लगभग 50 है। इन्होंने बताया कि गिर गाय का दूध औषधीय गुणों से भरपूर होता है और घी की कीमत बाजार में 5,000 से 8,000 रुपए प्रति लीटर होती है। कई लोग इस घी को श्रद्धा से खरीदते हैं और इसका उत्पादन करने के लिए माता-बहनें भी यहां आकर दान देती हैं।
