How this idea came to my mind?
Few ideas were looming in my mind simultaneously.. probably multiple dots in the blank mind.
1. Mother's milk is considered to be most useful for the baby.. best discoveries of the world have not been able to find its replacement. Even the best nutritionists and pediatricians recommend breast feeding.
2. In the modern world, specialty coffee was introduced by Starbucks. Before Starbucks concept, coffee was sold a a commodity in cents. Starbucks, with all its experience around, could make people buy coffee at $5, that too with pride. Clearly a case in point that specialty in any commodity has its niche, and people appreciate the benefits.
3. If human mother's milk is invaluable, how can cattle's milk be a commodity? This logic does not cut ice with me. Proven from ages, also indicated in Vedas, that cattle milk is extremely healthy and useful for the body.
4. Like any other mammal, cattle gives milk when it gives birth to a calf. For professionals, milking is an economic activity, and a source of income. I visited many milkmen in last couple of months. Now, to enhance their profits, invariably they do the following:
- Not feed the male calf - and eventually most of them die!
- Once the calf dies, use oxytoxin injections to milk the cow
- Not feed the cow properly if it is undergoing lean period
- Provide adulterated food e.g. left over from the restaurants, processed barley from beer factory, rotten loaf from bread factory etc.
- Once the cow become infertile, either leave them open to eat rug in streets, or send them to slaughterhouse
This whole process of giving back to the cattle who gives milk to us, is just not acceptable to me
Like a typical management professional, I started thinking on the lines of how to get this idea clicked in social space where:
- A person gets good quality milk and
- Animal gets good life to lead
- The care taker, who makes all this happen, gets good employment
Finally, I decided to get good milk for my family, and buy a cow. Now the question was, how to do it? Here is how I settled things one by one:
- Shed: A colleague of mine has a plot in Shyamkunj, Gurgaon. I request him and he offered me to use it, since it was lying vacant. I got the shed created at his place.
- Caretaker: This man was the key. He would be the one who will take care of all the errands. So, had to be properly tried and tested ( of-course, after finding out :D). I spoke to a couple of acquaintances for reference. Finally got hold of a man of trust. I invited him to my place, and got the shed created with his help. Seems to be a good and simple man, with all the experience I have had with him. His name is Dharmendra.
- Cow: I was very clear from the day 1 that I will not buy the cattle from a cattle market. I wanted to take it from the local village, after observing it for a couple of days. Also, was skeptical how the cow would behave after coming to a new environment at my shed. So, wanted to take from a close distance such that that the previous owner could monitor and advice for a couple of days.
- Feed: Having no background, nor any knowledge, I read a lot about the animal feed. Also, consulted many milkmen. Finally, got the best possible from the near by market. Green feed is something, I have to still work upon.
- Transport: Thankfully, the bike I bought in Feb 2007 is being fruitfully being used now. Dharmendra got his license made, and is all set to ride
- Packaging: This part was very dear to me. I wanted to look different. The stereotype milk can does not look attractive. I have a lock-n-lock lunch box and I liked the quality. So, got something similar, and to my surprise, everyone liked the packaging.
Finally bought a cow with milking capacity 7 liters. Not been a week.. let's see how things continue.
