'Pashu' Not Appropriate For Animals, They Are 'Jeevan Dhan': President Droupadi Murmu At IVRI Bareilly

Bareilly, Jun 30 (PTI) — President Droupadi Murmu on Monday addressed the 11th convocation ceremony of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly, where she shared her views on the importance of animals in human life and expressed concern over the commonly used term 'pashu' for animals.

Speaking at the prestigious event, President Murmu said that she finds the use of the word 'pashu'-- a Hindi word for animal, somewhat inappropriate. Instead, she suggested referring to animals as ‘jeevan dhan’, which translates to “valuable for life,” to better reflect their crucial role and emotional significance in the lives of human beings.

The President emphasized that animals and humans have always shared a deeply interconnected relationship. She pointed out that in earlier times, before the arrival of modern technology, animals played an essential role in human lives. They were not only companions but also vital for transportation and agricultural work. For farmers, animals were a source of strength and support, referred to as both ‘saadhan’ (means or tools) and ‘bal’ (strength).

Highlighting this symbiotic bond, President Murmu said, "Truly speaking, animals and human beings share a relationship. Today, we have technology, but in the past, they (animals) were our 'saadhan' (for transportation) and 'bal' (force) for the farmers."  She underlined that in today’s world of rapid technological advancement, it is important not to forget the contributions and emotional value of animals.

Concluding her remarks, she reiterated that the word ‘pashu’ fails to capture the true essence of animals' importance and instead called for a more respectful and appreciative term, hence advocating the use of ‘jeevan dhan’.

"Hence, I do not find the word 'pashu' appropriate for animals as they are 'jeevan dhan'. We cannot think of life without them," Murmu said. 

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