On November 23, 2018, Gau Ved Vigyan Anushandhan Kendra, an initiative by Uday India Knowledge Tree to protect and preserve indigenous breeds of cows, was inaugurated in presence of respected saints. In this inaugural ceremony, BJP National Vice-President Shyam Jaju, Akhil Bharatiya Sah-Gau Seva Pramukh (RSS)  Ajit Mahapatra, Goswami Sushil Maharaj, Acharya Lokesh Muni, Director of National Gallery of Modern Arts Adwaita Gadnayak, Dr. Rikhab Chand Jain, President of T.T Garments, Swadesh Pal Gupta and Brahmakumari Bahan Shilpa were the guests on this occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Acharya Lokesh Muni said, a cow has the highest place in Indian culture and with the launching of Gau Ved Vigyan Anushandhan Kendra, people would be able to know the significance indigenous breeds of cows, which will draw people’s attention in this area. He further said that the cow protection is not possible unless people are aware of importance of indigenous breeds of cows.

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Explaining A1 and A2 milk

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Cow milk is considered nature’s ideal food, providing a vital source of nutrients comprising carbohydrates, high-quality proteins, and selected micronutrients. More than 95% of the cow milk proteins include caseins and whey proteins. Among the caseins, beta casein is the second most abundant protein and has the excellent nutritional balance of amino acids. Different mutations in the bovine beta-casein gene have led to 12 genetic variants and out of these A1 and A2 are the most common. At present, there are a lot of talks about the health effects of A1 and A2 milk, which may depend on the breed of the cow it came from. Currently, A2 milk is being marketed as a healthier choice than A1 milk. It is argued to have several health benefits and to be easier to digest for people who are lactose intolerant. Let’s have an objective look at the science behind A1 and A2 milk.

Casein is the largest group of proteins in milk, making up about 80% of the total protein content. There are several types of casein in milk, and beta-casein is the second most common. Beta-casein exists in at least 13 different forms. The two most common forms of beta-casein are:

• A1 beta-casein: Milk from breeds of cows that originated in northern Europe and USA is generally high in A1 beta-casein. A1 milk comes from breeds like the Holstein, Friesian, Ayrshire and British Shorthorn.
• A2 beta-casein: Milk that is high in A2 beta-casein is mainly found in breeds that originated in India and some other Asian countries. Studies indicate that A1 beta-casein may be harmful and that A2 beta-casein is a safer choice. This is the reason for the “A1 vs A2” debate.

Conclusion: A1 and A2 milk contain different types of protein called beta-casein. Studies indicate that A2 milk is healthier of the two.

Beta-Casomorphin-7

Beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7) is the reason why A1 milk is believed to be less healthy than A2 milk.

BCM-7 is an opioid peptide that is released during the digestion of A1 beta-casein.

Researches have suggested that BCM-7 is harmful. BCM-7 may affect the digestive system.

Below is a review of the scientific evidence linking A1 milk and BCM-7 with type 1 diabetes, heart disease, infant death, and digestive problems.

Conclusion: Western countries’ cow milk contains A1 beta-casein, which is partly broken down to beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7) in the stomach. BCM-7 has been linked with several adverse health effects.

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Calling it historical, Goswami Sushil Maharaj congratulated Uday India Knowledge Tree for this initiative. He said, when Emergency was imposed, legislation was brought that none would be able to  keep cows in Delhi but this kind of restrictions are not imposed when people keep dogs in their homes. Now I demand an Ordinance to revoke this law. People living in Delhi NCR should be allowed cow rearing in their houses. “Because of cow rearing, we will be able to save our Indian culture, otherwise, we will not succeed in what we are dreaming today,” he added.

BJP National Vice-President Shyam Jaju also appreciated Uday IndiaKnowledge Tree’s initiative. He said that earlier people were branded communal when they would go to the temple. Now when foreign scientific research is endorsing the importance of Indian tradition, these same people are accepting our culture.

Ajit Mahapatra, in his speech, laying emphasis on cow conservation explained its multi-utilities.

Rajendra  Singhal, who has been working for years to protect the indigenous breeds of cows, said that a few years back, our slogan was to “Chalo Gao ki Aur” and it was because of pollution in big cities. Village is also good for the protection of indigenous cows. Even Guru Golwalkar had once said that cow slaughter would be totally prohibited in India by 2022.

In context of the future of the cow and the steps being taken by the

government in this regard,  Mahesh Sharma, Delhi Godhan Sangh President, said that Gau  Anushandhan Kendra is the best concept. He further said that a program on agriculture was organised at Vigyan  Bhawan and he raised the same issue there. He added that India has research centers on various animals, but not on a cow. But the government is working on this issue.  Dr. Rikhab Chand Jain, President of T.T Garments, has been working in this area for years. He believes that people’s mindset needs to be changed if one wants to protect the cow, because the cow within itself is an economy.  Adwaita Gadanayak, Director of National Gallery of Modern Arts, said that he is working on to develop a pious cow shade.

By Uday India Bureau