Rashmi Ranjan

No matter what few possessions you own or how little money you have, loving animals will make you rich beyond measure. Pramod Nayak of Bhadrad district in Odisha, who is on a mission to provide succour and treatment to stray cattle, perhaps qualifies the statement aptly.

A graduate in Arts, Nayak has been treating ailing stray cattle since the last 10 years and his selfless love for animals has earned him praise from all quarters in the locality.

Years ago when Nayak was on his way to Bhadrak town from his village he found a cow in severe pain after it was hit by a speeding vehicle. Moved by the cow’s plight, he provided treatment her and the she recovered gradually. The incident changed Nayak’s life and since then he took up the noble work of serving and treating the bovine species little caring for the obstacles that came on his way.

“It has been my mission to rescue the injured and ailing cattle and treat them. This gives me immense satisfaction. Even though my parents oppose me at times, but I never stop caring for the animals,” Nayak said.

Heaping praises on Nayak for his love for cattle, Hemant Panda, a local said, “He never charges anything to treat cows. He will be there for the animals whenever you call him for help.”

Nayak, so far, has provided treatment to over 1000 cattle. Not only that, he also performs last rites of the animals who die during treatment with full honours.

“I am very happy for his empathy and service to the animals. But at the same time, I also feel very sad as he is least concerned about his own family,” said Khyamarani Das, Pramod’s mother.

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