A devoted Gousevak of Goa who runs the State’s largest Goushala with complete faith in Goumata

Mr Kamalakant Tari manages the Sikerī Gaushala located in Maye, Bicholim, run bythe Gomantak Gosevak Mahasangh, Goa. Starting in 2015 with just two cows, this gaushala now shelters 5,500 cattle, making it the largest gaushala in Goa.

Shri Tari served selflessly in a Government department for 33 years before retiring. His gaushala houses a wide variety of indigenous breeds including Punganur, Ongole, Sanchore, Nagori, Tharparkar, Kankrej, Rathi, Sahiwal, Gir, Deoni, Shwet Kapila, Konkan Gidda, Konkan Kapila, and Malenadu Gidda.

With the deep-seated conviction that “Gomata does everything; we are merely instruments,” Mr Kamalakant Tari has taken up the responsibility of running this massive operation. Let us now hear in his own words how he was inspired to start this gaushala, the spiritual experiences he encountered, and the profound importance of goseva.

Mr Kamalakant Tari

Special Column

The sacrifice by the soldiers and generals for the Hindavi Swarajya as envisaged by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is supreme. Similarly, in the present times, many devout Hindus and patriotic citizens of this country have been striving to protect the Nation and Dharma. The ‘Warriors of Hindutva’ is a series of articles that sheds light on their life and their struggle to protect Hindu Dharma. We hope that it serves as a catalyst for the mission of establishing Hindu Rashtra and inspires many others. – Editor

1. Inspiration from Yogarishi RamdevBaba to start the gaushala

In 2009, I reclaimed barren farmland and began cultivating various types of paddy. That’s when I realised, farming without cows is incomplete. Initially, I drew inspiration from animal lover Mr Amrit Singh of Bicholimand cow devotee Mr Hanumant Parab of Valpoi and decided to start a gaushala. Then, I had the opportunity to connect with Yogarishi Ramdevbaba and became a yoga teacher. Ramdev Baba would often say, “Save the cow, and you save the nation.” These words moved me deeply, and I decided to take up the mission of cow preservation.

In 2015, we established the Shwet Kapila Gaushala and Research Centre at Sal, Bicholim, on land donated by Mr Digambar Raut. Eventually, that space became insufficient, prompting the expansion to a larger facility. At present, the gaushala incurs a daily fodder expense of ₹8.5 lakh. This is managed through Government schemes and generous support from the cow devotees. The Goa Government’s policy on “Stray Cow Management” has encouraged this mission and greatly aided the gaushala’s growth.

2. Serving with the conviction that “Gomata does everything”

When asked how such tremendous growth was achieved in just nine years, and how such a large gaushala is run, I always respond: “I haven’t done anything, Gomata is doing it all.” An ordinary person could never accomplish this. Gomata works through us. That’s why we never face obstacles in this work. Even if difficulties arise, Gomātā has already cleared them beforehand.

It is written in the Purāṇas that Gomātā is the Mother of the Universe and the remover of all afflictions. She senses everyone’s sorrow before others can. All the Deities dwell within her. When one embraces a cow, stress, anxiety, and illness begin to fade. We do not need foreigners to tell us the importance of cows; our Rishis and Sages have already taught us. The cow is our culture, our nectar.

Drinking cow’s milk and urine cures ailments in human beings. Today, even the wealthy have recognised this and are adopting the Punganur breed, a small-sized cow, for household rearing. As a result, more people are able to engage in goseva. Those who understand the significance of Gomata serve her, live a joyful life, and find meaning. Those who do not understand her importance fail to serve and live in sorrow. If a person wishes to rise above suffering, they should surrender to Gomātā. She will never let them fall short.

Receiving an award from Goa CM Pramod Sawant (left), Mr Tari (right)

3. The root of the problem lies in not understanding the greatness of Gomata

Today, we face a shortage of dedicated gosevaks (cow protectors) precisely because people have failed to realise the greatness of Gomata. It is now our responsibility to spread awareness of her Divine significance to everyone.

4. Efforts to make the gaushala self-reliant

In 2023, Yogarishi Ramdev Baba visited the Sikerī Gaushala. During his visit, he emphasised that the gaushala must become self-reliant and should not depend on external support. He advised starting large-scale projects using gomūtra (cow urine) to produce various medicinal products, goark, and gonyle (a natural floor cleaner). To support this, he provided financial assistance of ₹50 lakh. These projects are scheduled to commence at a large scale this year.

Presently, the gaushala is also manufacturing wooden logs from cow dung, which can be used in cremation grounds. In addition, cow dung cakes, eco-bricks, and a variety of fertilisers are being produced.

5. A vision to establish a gaushala in every ward of each village

A gaushala should become a source of inspiration for all. It must belong to cow devotees and gosevaks, and run by people working selflessly, seeking the blessings of Gomata. Gaushala should not be considered a business, else it will be called a dairy. Income from the gaushala should only be used for the welfare of gaushala.

Our resolve is clear:

• In Phase 1, there should be at least one gaushala in every taluka in Goa
• In Phase 2, one in every village or panchayat
• In Phase 3, one in every ward of every panchayat

Every gosevak should rear at least one cow at home. Every temple in the village should have at least one cow and a calf. Today’s youth must participate in goseva, taking guidance from organisations like Sanatan Sanstha.

6. ‘Gomantak Gosevak Mahasangh’ schemes to encourage youth participation in goseva

The Gomantak Gosevak Mahasangh runs several initiatives to draw young people into goseva. If a young individual is interested, we provide land, cows, and fodder. They only need to take care of the cows and sell the milk for their earning. In the Maye area, if someone has land, we are ready to support their goseva journey. If everyone runs behind employment, who will do the labour work? A person can be employed or run a business, but he must spend around 2 hrs daily in labour work such as goseva. But sadly, this is not happening today. Today’s youth is failing to protect and nourish the country.

Today, youth seem to believe “The Government will provide everything, we don’t need to work”.

7. An appeal to the people of Goa

Please do not throw leftovers, non-veg food, glass, wires, or screws wrapped in plastic into garbage heaps. Cows unknowingly ingest plastic along with the contents, leading to illness and death. At Sikerī, we had to perform surgeries on four cows. From their stomachs, we removed 35 kg, 55 kg, 61 kg, and 75 kg of plastic, respectively. We could not save them. Plastic is a major threat, reduce its use now.

8. 250 beneficiaries under the ‘Govansh Dattak Yojana’ (Adopt cattle scheme)

Under the Govansh Dattak Yojana, 250 individuals, including Goa CM Dr Pramod Sawant and Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar, have adopted cows.

A unique spiritual experience affirming that Gomata provides nourishment

During the COVID-19pandemic, the gaushala in Sikerī housed 1,200 cattle. At that time, I was going door to door to collect fodder for them. One day, I could not collect any fodder at all. As a result, I was unable to feed the cattle and had to release them into a nearby open field. Since they were used to eating within the gaushala, all the cows immediately returned to the shelter. That entire day, they survived only on water. On the following day too, we had no fodder. I released them into the open field again, but once again, they refused to eat anything and came back to the gaushala. On that evening, they had only water, nothing to eat. That night, the cows began lowing in distress, and tears began to stream from their eyes.

The third day went by in the same manner.

On the fourth day, I went into the cowshed, prostrated before the cows, and rubbed my nose on the ground before Gomata. I said:“For all these years, I believed I was the one feeding you. That I was collecting funds and managing everything for your care. But today, I realise, I am not the one doing anything. You, O Gomata, are the one who sustains everything. It is you, who orchestrates it all. I now understand this truth. O Gōmātā, please take full charge going forward.” And with these words, I broke down in tears. For three days, none of us had any food. On the third night at 3:30 a.m., I received a phone call. The caller said, “Two trucks of fodder are parked and ready. Please come collect them.”

I rushed there, brought the fodder, and fed the cows. Later, I tried to contact that caller to thank him, but his phone was switched off. It was only 16 days later that I was able to reach him. I said, “I am grateful that you sent the fodder,” to which he replied: “Why are you thanking me? I received a Divine vision three days ago to send fodder to your gaushala, and I simply acted upon it.”

Since that day, the gaushala has never once run short of fodder. To this day, every storage room remains fully stocked.

– Mr Kamalakant Tari

Other initiatives include:

• Godān Yojana
• Saprem Dān Yojana
• Annadān Yojana
• Khādyadān Yojana

9. Collaborative schemes with Goa Government for stray cattle

Through the Stray Cattle Management Scheme, Goa’s panchayats have tied up with Gomantak Gosevak Mahasangh to shelter and care for stray/injured cows. The Government provides a fixed financial contribution per cow through the panchayats.

Awards and Recognition

2022 : Honoured by PM Narendra Modi
2023 : Recognised as India’s first gaushala for ‘Shwet Kapila’ breed
2025 : Awarded ‘Innovative Farms’ by Indian Research Agriculture Institute