By Rashmi Rekha Das
While most people claim family time as their favourite pastime, he stands out for his unique passion—spending quality time with cows. He literally finds solace in taking their care and saving them from harm.
He doesn’t just see cows as livestock; he sees them as family. Every morning, he heads to his modest shelter centre, Balukeswar Goseva Kendra, a home to over a dozen cows, many of whom were once sick or abandoned. With a warm smile, he tends to their needs—feeding them, cleaning their wounds, and ensuring they feel safe.
Meet Santosh Kumar Nayak, the unsung hero who has dedicated his life to caring for cows, nursing them back to health, and saving them from the clutches of traffickers.
Through Balukeswar Goseva Kendra, Santosh and his passionate team have achieved incredible success, driven by their shared commitment to protecting and caring for cattle.
To date, they’ve provided care and treatment to over 12,000-15,000 cows, easing their suffering and restoring their health. But that’s not all. Their relentless pursuit of justice has led to the seizure of 20-25 vehicles every month, crippling the cattle smuggling racket. While exact numbers are hard to quantify, it’s estimated that over 10,000 innocent animals have been rescued from the clutches of traffickers.
In an unfiltered conversation with Ommcom News, Santosh pulls no punches, candidly expressing his frustration and disappointment with the government’s lack of action on cattle trafficking.
“Every time I saw those helpless cows crammed into vehicles, their terrified eyes pleading for mercy, my heart would shatter into a million pieces. The thought of these gentle creatures, revered as Gomata (mothers) in our culture, being treated with such cruelty was unbearable. Growing up in a family that cherished bovines, I had always been taught to see them as symbols of nourishment and life. But it wasn’t until I witnessed the harsh reality of cattle trafficking that I knew I had to act. The image of those innocent eyes, packed in crowded vehicles, haunted me. In that moment, something melted within me. I knew I couldn’t turn a blind eye to their plight. I had to act. I had to protect them. I had to be their voice. And so, I dedicated my life to caring for these gentle giants, to shield them from harm, and to give them the love and compassion they so desperately deserve”, said Santosh when asked what made him dedicate his life to the noble cause.
“They understand love,” he said, gently patting an ailing cow.
After his office, he often patrols nearby areas with his team, keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. Their bravery has led to several rescues, including a daring late-night operations where they helped free three cows from a smuggling ring.
“With compassion and care, we rescue cattle in distress – those severely injured in accidents or suffering from the agonising effects of eating plastic. We take them to our shelter, providing specialised care until they are strong enough to roam free again. For those with minor injuries, we offer swift first-aid treatment on the spot, patching them up and sending them on their way. We provide treatment and care to injured cattle, either on the spot or at our shelter, with compassion and kindness guiding our work”, said Santosh, who works as a Sales Manager in a company.
Based in Tamando on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, Santosh and his team demonstrate their commitment by contributing a portion of their monthly income to care for these animals. While the amount may differ from person to person, their dedication to giving remains unwavering.
“It’s heartbreaking to see officials accepting bribes as low as Rs 200 to allow vehicles carrying cattle to slaughterhouses. The law seems powerless to stop this cruelty. We need stringent laws to safeguard these innocent animals,” he pleaded.
“It’s an uphill task as we are fighting a never-ending battle sans the government’s support. Why aren’t there stricter laws to protect these innocent lives?” he demanded, his voice laced with anguish.
Santosh attributes his success to the support of his wife and parents, who stand by him in his noble endeavours without ever raising an eyebrow.
