Journalism of Courage
Decked up in traditional finery, hundreds of cows and bulls on Saturday strutted down the ramp for a bovine beauty pageant in Hayrana's Rohtak, aimed at promoting indigenous Indian cattle breeds and raising awareness about animal health amid a huge crowd cheering their every move.About 633 cattle heads from different districts participated in the pageant to raise awareness about indigenous bovine breeds.
A man leads a cow on a ramp during a bovine beauty pageant in Rohtak, Haryana on Saturday, May 7, 2016. (Source: AP)
As farmers led their animals, the panel of experts judged the bovine for their size and overall looks, the length of their horns and, for the cows, their milk-yielding capacities.
The judges selected 18 winners in various categories, choosing the healthiest and best-looking cows and bulls from more than 630 animals in the contest, held in the farming town of Rohtak in Haryana.
A cattle breeder tends to a bull prior to walking on the ramp. (Source: AP)
On the ramp, the bovines displayed their individuality. Some sashayed with casual grace, while others dug in their heels and had to be pulled and prodded by their owners to walk for the judges. (Source: AP)
Cattle breeds like Hariana, Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Rathi, Belahi and Gir took part in the event held in Bahu Akbarpur at the sprawling grounds of the International Institute of Veterinary Education and Research.
Audience visit an enclosure where cows and bulls are kept prior to walking on the ramp. (Source: AP)
Haryana Agriculture Minister O P Dhankar, who was chief guest at the event, appealed to cattle breeders to assist government in promoting indigenous breeds and encourage people to take up breeding. (Source: AP)
In the end, it was 'Rani', a cow from Imlauta village in Bhiwani district which edged out the competition to emerge triumphant, a spokesperson of the International Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, which conducted the bovine beauty pageant, said. (Source: AP)
The winners, representing three different breeds, carried home prizes and a winner's sash. (Source: AP)
"I have brought my best cow for the show and she has won a prize,'' Randhir Singh, a farmer from nearby Dwarka village, said as he pointed to a red ribbon tied around the head of his well-groomed cow, which won first place in its category. "I wanted my cow to win and she has done me proud," added the elated owner. (Source: AP)
