We were all revering Cows and other animals much before all these 'Activists' cropped up. Respecting the environment, the trees and animals are a way of life for Hindus

On the eve of Maattu Pongal, here are a few personal Cow Remembrances 1/n

I was all of 4 when we moved to Vadakara. School was still a year away. We lived in a House named 'Kottaram' (Palace), which had a long backyard. Beyond that was a small house where a Brahmin Family Resided. Mami had a cow. 2/n

Around 2.30 pm, she will call "Konthe" (Colloquial for Kuzhanthai or Child), and that was the sign for me to run across pulling up my half trouser.

A Half Wall separated the houses and I would climb up to watch the guy who milched their cow. 3/n

Once he milched, I will get my quota of a very small glass of raw milk. She never ever took the milk inside without giving me my share fondly. Once I drink it, I played with the calf and then ran back home 4/n

We moved back to Palakkad when I was 9. Grandfathers Agraharam house was 20 kms away and I was a frequent visitor

Thatha and Paatti maintained 3 Cows

The Big Red, Elder Karumi (Blacky) and the Younger Karumi 5/n

The Red was the one that gave the maximum milk. But she was not friendly. But she maintained her composure though she didnt like us to take any liberties. Hence we gave her lot of respect and generally stayed away from her. 6/n

The Elder Karumi was a real Virat Kohli.

She was combative and wore her passion up her legs. She had a bad temper and showed it.

And God, did she have a powerful kick 7/n

Later on, I always wondered whether she would have given Brazilian Roberto Carlos a run for money if she were allowed to take Free Kicks. Am sure Goal Keeper would not have stood a chance.

She listened to only two people - Narayanan, who milched her and Paatti. 8/n

Narayanan was a real toughie, with bulging muscles and a toned body. He must have had 12 packs, not just 6. He knew how to tame the toughest of cows and they never took liberties with him

Paatti was frail and took care of the cows, fed them. She also did the delivery. 9/n

I have seen her help cows deliver calves with child like wonderment. The Calves coming out were mostly golden in colour and it was a great sight to see them struggle to get up, and the tired cow lick them over and over. 10/n

Needless to say all the Cows were Traditional Indian Cows.

Our friend was the Younger Karumi. She was small, very docile. You can hug her, pull her tail, stroke her, scratch her under the chin, feed her and she would never complain and is always happy 11/n

Her calves were also the cutest and the most playful. As Grandparents aged they sold of the Red and the Elder Karumi but retained the younger one

Thatha will take her out for grazing and leave her untied. By 2 pm she will find her way back on her own, climb the steps 12/n

Thatha will be sleeping on the passage (for cross ventilation purpose) blocking her way to the Cowshed in the rear. She will patiently wait 4-5 feet behind where his head was, till Paatti wakes him up, saying

"Ezhunthirungo, Karumi vanthirukka" (Get up, Karumi is here) 13/n

Once Thatha gets up, Karumi will calmly go on her own to the cowshed and stand in her designated place.

I have seen such good behaviour only one another person in my life 14/n

When I was in College, father took a fancy to have a cow, built a cowshed, and had another nasty blacky. He was full of enthusiasm, and then it was left to my mother to look after her. 15/n

Mother had some medical issues, and since we couldnt get a proper help, we were forced to sell her. The Cowshed looked forlorn and deserted 16/n

My first, and still my dream project, was to start a dairy farm in 1988. Did lot of ground work, but a freak sports injury crippled me for a while, and when I got an employment opportunity with Hindustan Petroleum, I grabbed it 17/n

But Post Retirement I will definitely have a small Dairy Farm

My Children missed out. I want to ensure my Grand Children dont n/n