Over 1.64 lakh students participated in Gau Vigyan exam; Chhattisgarh expands Gaushala aid, Surabhi Gaudham scheme and Bastar dairy initiative
Raipur, July ,2026/ Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday said cow conservation can become a people’s movement only through active public participation, urging every family to take a pledge for cow protection and service. Addressing the Gau Seva Sangam and Gau Vigyan Examination Prize Distribution ceremony at the Krishak Sabhagar, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) in Raipur, he launched the statewide ‘Mera Parivar Gauvrati Parivar’ campaign and unveiled a poster for a tree plantation drive linked to environmental conservation.
Shri Sai honoured current year’s Gau Vigyan examination toppers and said the participation of more than 1.64 lakh school and college students reflected growing awareness among the younger generation about Indian culture, scientific thinking and environmental conservation. The winners received cash prizes of Rs 51,000 for first place, Rs 31,000 for second and Rs 11,000 for third.
Chief Minister said the state has increased fodder assistance for registered ‘gaushalas’ from Rs 20 to Rs 35 per cow per day, while the Surabhi Gaudham Yojana is developing modern cattle shelters with veterinary and other facilities. He also said ‘gobar’- and ‘gomutra’-based products are creating rural livelihood opportunities, with the government planning training and support for their production.
Shri Sai also highlighted the Nyota Bhoj initiative as an example of community participation, saying people are celebrating occasions such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries and parents’ death anniversaries by sharing meals with students in government schools. Along with the Shala Pravesh Utsav, the initiative is strengthening ties between schools and local communities while providing children with additional nutrition.
Highlighting dairy development, Shri Sai said the government, with support from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has launched a scheme to provide indigenous cows in Bastar, where improved security has opened new avenues for agriculture and animal husbandry. The government is also considering extending the scheme to more livestock farmers, particularly members of the Yadav community, to strengthen the dairy sector.
School Education Minister Shri Gajendra Yadav said that the Gau Vigyan examination is helping connect students with Indian culture and values. Gau Seva activities’ national coordinator Shri Ajit Mahapatra said that the initiative is promoting scientific understanding of cows alongside India’s knowledge tradition.
The event was attended by Chhattisgarh State Gau Seva Commission Vice-Chairman Shri Rajiv Lochan Ji Maharaj, Chhattisgarh State Education Commission Chairman Shri Sudhir Gautam, Shri Chandrashekar Dewangan, Shri Atmbodh Agrawal, Shri Manoj Pandey, Shri Gopal Yadav and other dignitaries were present on occasion.
