RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Says ‘One Health’ Rooted In India’s Traditional Wisdom, Calls For Focus On Indigenous Cattle Breeds

November 12, 2026

Nagpur: The concept of ‘One Health’ and the inter-linkage between the health of man and animals, environment and natural ecosystem has existed in India as a part of traditional knowledge, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Thursday.

Speaking during the unveiling of memorial of Dattaji Meghe and inauguration of an agriculture college and veterinary hospital in Nagpur, Bhagwat was joined by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

He said that veterinary doctors used to be shy about their profession but with modern amenities and good infrastructure, things have changed.

People sometimes remind me that I am a veterinary doctor. Yes, I am a veterinary doctor. Some years back many people were shy about being a veterinary doctor but now with modern amenities and good infrastructure veterinary students are getting proper facilities today, he said.

Bhagwat Says Human Health Depends On Animals And Environment

Man can only be healthy if the animals, biodiversity and environment are healthy, he said explaining the concept of ‘One Health’.

‘This concept of ‘One Health’ is now known in modern times but this concept has existed in India as a part of traditional knowledge for centuries,’ he said.

He said that poor health of animals would impact farmers’ income and also increase chances of animal to human diseases.

The world has gradually come to realise that irresponsible behaviour can lead to the whole natural ecosystem being at risk. However, Indian civilisation understood this thousands of years ago.

Everyone knows that if the environment is not healthy then we cannot be healthy. Similarly, if animals’ health is not good then it will impact our income and also increase chances of animal to human diseases.

Cites Vasubaras And Govardhan Traditions To Highlight Cow Dung’s Use

He mentioned traditional festivals of Vasubaras and Govardhan which are made from cow dung.

He said that the importance of cow dung is now being recognised around the world. Whereas previously traditional Indian practices were mocked.

We recently celebrated Diwali which also starts with Vasubaras which is a festival for cattle. We also make Govardhan from cow dung. The world is now recognising the importance of cow dung. A few years ago traditional practices in India were mocked globally but now things have changed, he said.

He said that the world learns from its mistakes but our ancestors understood this and created a lifestyle.

Earlier human beings thought they were the masters of nature but now they are realised that they are just a part of the universe and depend on the natural world.

We can only be happy and healthy if biodiversity, ecology and the natural ecosystem are healthy. We need to impose some restrictions on ourselves voluntarily.

RSS Chief Calls For Development Of Indigenous Cattle Breeds

He emphasised the need to improve indigenous cattle breeds in India. He said that we have not fully improved them and have imported foreign breeds like Jersey cattle.

He said that Nitin Gadkari mentioned Gir cows but we do have indigenous cattle breeds with great potential but didn’t improve how productive they could be.

Nitin Gadkari mentioned Gir cows. We do have indigenous cattle breeds with great potential. We could have improved how productive they are but we didn’t.

About 300 years ago cattle were exported from India to other parts of the world to improve the breed and develop the dairy industry. Other countries focused on improving their cattle breeds but we did not focus on our indigenous cattle breeds, he said.

Instead we imported Jersey and other foreign breeds. About 300 years ago cattle were exported from India to other parts of the world to improve the breed and develop the dairy industry. In these countries horses were traditionally used for farming and cows were mainly for producing milk for humans. Holstein cattle are also known as Brahman cattle. Other countries focussed on improving their cattle breeds but we didn’t focus on our indigenous breeds.

He urged people to consider if we have used our resources and potential correctly.

Bhagwat Links Traditional Knowledge With Self-Reliance

India should consider traditional wisdom and use it to show the world another way of developing, he said.

Self reliance is very important to be truly independent and takes responsibility for those who rely on others.

Every country should ensure that their development benefits the whole world. Our traditional sciences and knowledge are full of valuable knowledge to make us self reliant.