Rooted in India’s timeless civilisational ethos, Go-Daan has always symbolised compassion in action—an offering that nourishes not only the recipient but society at large. In a powerful contemporary expression of this sacred tradition, the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, as part of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s Birth Centenary Celebrations, undertook a transformative initiative to uplift the livelihoods of 100 marginal farmer families by gifting them high-quality ‘Gir cows’, fostering self-reliance and sustainable rural prosperity.
A defining moment of this noble endeavour unfolded on November 19, 2025, when the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi, visited Puttaparthi to participate in Swami’s centenary celebrations. In the sanctified environs of Sai Kulwant Hall, and in the divine presence of Bhagawan, the Hon’ble Prime Minister graciously performed the honours of distributing cows to selected beneficiaries. Expressing his deep sense of privilege in being part of the Go-Daan programme, he lauded the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust for its visionary initiative of empowering poor farming families through this meaningful act of service.
This transformative initiative has been planned to be implemented in a phased manner, ensuring careful monitoring and sustained impact. With the divine blessings of Bhagawan, Phase One of the program was undertaken today, marking the first step in a larger journey of rural empowerment. The Managing Trustee of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Mr RJ Rathnakar, distributed 27 Gir cows along with their calves to deserving beneficiaries at the Gokulam premises, in the presence of dignitaries, functionaries, and well-wishers.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Rathnakar beautifully contextualised the initiative, explaining how across centuries and cultures, the cow has occupied a revered space, not merely as an object of worship, but as a silent sustainer of life, livelihood, and social harmony. He highlighted the economic challenges faced by rural families dependent on native cattle breeds that typically yield 2–3 litres of milk, barely sufficient to sustain household needs. In contrast, the Gir cows, brought from Gujarat, are known for their robustness and superior genetics, yielding 8–10 litres of high-quality milk, which significantly enhances household income, nutritional security, and the overall dignity of life.
What emerges from this initiative is not charity, but compassion translated into lasting socio-economic empowerment—a ripple effect touching hundreds of households through improved income, better nutrition, and renewed self-worth. Beyond economics, the program also fosters stronger community bonds, reinforcing the idea that sustainable development thrives when tradition and thoughtful intervention walk hand in hand.
The initiative also resonates deeply with Bhagawan’s own life and teachings. It is profoundly symbolic that Bhagawan established the Gokulam on His 50th Birthday, in 1975, reflecting His boundless love for animals and His reverence for the cow as a mother figure. Swami repeatedly emphasised that cows should never be discarded simply because they cease to yield milk, just as one would never abandon one’s own mother in old age. True to His words, He lovingly ensured that every cow under His care was protected and nurtured until its last breath. This sacred practice continues to this day, standing as a living testament to His compassion.
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