Gobind Godham was set up in Ludhiana about seven years ago and is now serving more than 1,500 ailing cows.The shed was opened in 2000 when residents approached the Gau Sewa Samiti after a few stray dogs attacked and killed eight cows of a gaushala. It was being run by the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation at the Hambran Road.

Gobind Godham Chairman Sunder Dass Dhamija said, "After the public's pressure, our 12-member committee decided to open a gaushala.

We bought 5 acres of land for Rs 8.50 lakh. The first cow we got was a blind stray cow. We named her 'Prerna'. After its death, devotees did not allow us to take its body, so we buried it in the compound.

Prerna proved to be very lucky for us. After its arrival in the gaushala, we signed an agreement with Ludhiana Municipal Corporation. According to the agreement, the MC decided to give us Rs 10 per cow per day for taking care of sick cows. We got a cheque of Rs 5 lakh twice and afterwards no funds were released by the MC.

Luckily, with the active support of donors, we constructed a big cowherd in two years."

LMC Commissioner Vikas Partap said, "I have asked the Godham trust authorities to meet me. We will chalk out a strategy and see what can be done for the further development of the gaushala."

Presently, a team of four veterinary doctors, 15 helpers, 125 assistants along with retired deputy director of the Animal Husbandry department are taking care of these sick cows.

Dr Krishan Murari Gupta, in charge, Medical Wing, said, "We are taking care of 15 blind bovines, 70 with broken and injured limbs, 40 suffering from tuberculosis and 200 suffering from brucilosis.

All the cows kept here are non-milking and the purpose is to give them best treatment.

Before mixing the new stray cow with these cows, we first conduct all required tests and treat it accordingly.