Episode 7 : Worshipped and Wounded

A diet of plastic isn't sacred. It’s deadly.

In India, cows are more than just animals - they’re sacred, symbolic, and deeply woven into our everyday lives. We touch their feet, we feed them bananas at temples, we let them roam freely through our streets.

But somewhere between reverence and neglect, we’ve lost sight of their suffering.

The Garbage They Graze On

Across Indian cities and towns from Delhi to Chennai, it’s common to see cows near overflowing bins, tugging at torn plastic bags. What many people don’t realise is that these cows aren’t just scavenging- they’re slowly dying.

Cows often eat:

• Plastic carry bags with leftover food

• Used sanitary waste

• Biscuit wrappers and foil

• Toxic packaging material

Over time, these indigestible plastics build up in their stomachs. Autopsies of dead street cows in India have revealed up to 60 kg of plastic inside — enough to fill a small bathtub.

They aren’t starving because they’re unfed.They’re starving because their stomachs are full of garbage.

Why It Hurts More in India

• Cows are legally protected, yet left to fend for themselves.

• Plastic use is rampant, and waste segregation is still rare.

• Religious beliefs lead people to feed cows, but few realise that food in plastic bags causes more harm than good.

• Milk from cows eating plastic may contain toxins, which trickles into our homes and health systems.

This isn’t just an animal issue, it’s a public health, waste management, and cultural crisis.

What Can You Do?

1. Never feed cows in plastic bags, always remove the food first.

2. Segregate waste at home - make it easier to compost and recycle safely.

3. Educate those around you - neighbors, helpers - anyone who feeds cows regularly.

4. Volunteer with local gaushalas or rescue teams such as Sevalaya or those run by Dhyan Foundation, which rescue, feed, and rehabilitate street cattle in and around Chennai - your time and voice matter.

5. Advocate for cleaner streets - because the cow that eats from your bin today might not survive the month.