The foundation stone for the new goshala was laid on Saturday by Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala and Sirsa MP Sunita Duggal. The ministers also unveiled the calendar of an upcoming film based on Sudevi’s life.
Mukhrai 2022-01-09 (Vrindavan Today News): After years of struggle, German ‘gobhakt’ and Padma Shri Awardee (2019) Sudevi’s selfless efforts were rewarded with a sprawling new shelter for her cows in Mukhrai village.
The foundation stone for the new 12.5-acre (20 bigha) ‘goshala’ was laid on Saturday by Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala and Sirsa MP Sunita Duggal. Village head Jagdish Singh was also present. During the ‘bhumi pujan’ and ‘shilanyas’ ceremonies, Rupala extolled Sudevi’s efforts and her dedication to serve helpless cattle in Braj despite the many challenges.
The ministers also unveiled the calendar of an upcoming film based on Sudevi’s life.
The 63-yr-old Padma awardee Friederike Irina Bruning (fondly known as Sudevi Mataji) established the Shri Radha Surbhi Goshala in Radhakund in 1996. Since its inception, she has provided shelter, food, medical care and funeral services for nearly 20000 cattle. On an average, her 2-acre set up receives 10 sick, injured, homeless/abandoned and rescued cows and bulls daily.
With nearly 2000 cattle being served at present, the goshala was facing an abject space crunch. Intermittent concerns regarding Sudevi’s Visa and ownership dispute involving the existing set-up were further complicating matters. In June last year, Bruning had requested the UP Government to provide her adequate land for relocating the cattle. She was supported by several local activists and ‘gosevaks’.