Prayagraj: To foster public participation and sensitivity toward stray cattle, state govt has drafted a series of events to be held at gaushalas during Diwali festivities.The cattle shelters across the state will be illuminated with diyas and stalls featuring bovine products under the banner of Rural Livelihood Mission will also be set up at gaushalas and other locations. The district administration, with the support of various departments, will host various programmes at these gaushalas.Chief development officer (Prayagraj), Harshika Singh, has issued directives to the chief veterinary officer, district Panchayat raj officer, and the deputy commissioner (Livelihood Mission) in this regard. Moreover, all 23 block development officers in the district have been instructed to organise prayers and devotional ceremonies including ‘Gau Pujan’ at the cattle shelters within their respective blocks to encourage public involvement and sensitivity toward protection of animals.Chief veterinary officer (Prayagraj) Dr SN Yadav said that there are currently 118 active shelters for stray cattle in the district, providing protection to 21,321 animals. “Diyas will be lit at all these sites during Diwali,” he said. Additionally, Hari Kirtan (devotional singing) and religious recitations will also be held at the shelters across all the development blocks. Preparations for the events, including cleaning, painting, and whitewashing, have already started at all these shelters.Stalls showcasing products derived from cattle—manufactured by Self-Help Groups under the Livelihood Mission—will also be set up at the shelters.Deputy commissioner (self-employment) Shama Singh said that stalls of earthen lamps (diyas), idols, incense sticks, and cow-dung cakes made by women from self-help groups will be set up outside gaushalas (cow shelters). Currently, more than 850 women from self-help groups across the district are engaged in manufacturing various cow-based products. Diwali will provide them with an additional market for these goods.