Cownomics

by Arti Agarwal

Cownomics is a deep dive into the place of the cow in the society & economy. It takes a 360 degree view of the impact of cow slaughter and dairy farms on health, nutrition, environment, climate change, agriculture, and economics. It seeks to resurrect and revive the Vedic economic model of "Cownomics" - a healthy, prosperous society, the fulcrum of which was the holy cow.

Backed by scientific research as well as research from Hindu scriptural texts like Shiva Agamas, Vedas, Upanishads, Ayurveda texts, Yoga texts and many more, the book brings to light many forgotten aspects of how changing the place of the cow in the society can change the society at large, for better.

229 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2021

About the author

Arti Agarwal is an alum of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She is a marketer, data scientist and economist. Her first book, "Cownomics," was released in March, 2021.

Reviews

[The Conch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cow was an integral part of Hindu Vedic civilization and she was part of each and every family. Gradually, cow-sheds have been converted into dairy farm and cows end their journey into slaughterhouse and tanneries.

British first introduced slaughter houses in Bharat to satisfy hunger and taste of their soldiers. This book gives brief and appropriate history of slaughterhouse. From here, the beginning of enmity between muslims and Hindus was started along-with politics of appeasement.

Apart from climate change, loss of arable land, water crisis, land and water pollution, reduction of fertility of soil, loss of topsoil and various environmental calamities; beef consumption gives rise to "karmic footprint" along with carbon footprint. Cruelty and inhuman practices in slaughterhouses and dairy factories, are influencing human psychology towards extreme insensitivity and violence.

The striking feature of the book is that its chapters are short and easy to read. All facts are supported by peer-reviewed article of international science journal. Further, author proves scientifically medicinal use of 'Pancha Gavya' both in allopathic and Ayurvedic system. Author suggests plan for implementation of cownomic model to solve problem of stray-cows and by using them to make profit from organic farming, electricity generation, medicinal use and solving of psychological problems like stress, anxiety etc. by staying in the vicinity of cows.

Particularly those who are ridiculing Hindus as cow-piss drinker, this book is must read for them.

[aman anand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has great details on facts about how animal breeding for meat, leather and misuse in dairy causes global environment decadence. I have been a big votary of taking head-on the meat eating habits of people in the industrialized western world as well as in the religion led brutalization of animals.

Though I loved the book all throughout, I thought a few things might add more luster to the book. Plus a bit of disagreement around cow centricity too.

-> Cownomics makes it a little bit more centric. I believe a more encompassing narrative around misuse and slaughter of all kinds of animals will serve humans better. And here I am not looking to stop the use of disinfectants or sprays to deal with insects and other creatures. It is not just cows which need more humane treatment, but other animals who are part of the food ecosystem currently.

-> Indian dairy industry is also replete with misuse of cows, buffaloes and calves. This needs a bigger focus too and examples, investigation too.

-> I realized a couple of things around the cow, though my eyes have been opened by your book. Some years back, there was a beef ban debate going on in the country. A Khangress youth party member in Kerala, slaughtered a calf on the road in open and distributed the beef to people around!
I was aghast at that incident, but felt so helpless. At that time, my inner conscience told me that we have 2 kinds of people in India:

"Those who eat cows belong to the category of "hum to cow khaata hai, hamare bheje mai kuch nahin jaata hai". And the other who keep upkeep of cow, but are caught in a bit of obscurantism and would fall in the category of those "hum ko cow bhaata hai, par hamare bheje mai kuch nahin jaata hai"

-> The book has made a wonderful attempt at linking economic usage, technology around cows. I would love to see you link this somehow with innovation, creativity and use of technology for young children and adults through some relevant theme. We as Hindus have a lot to learn about our past, be it in terms of scriptures or the history of our ancient civilization. But, our growth is dependent on technology and creating sustainable advantages through it. And that will not happen till the children learn creativity, innovation with compassion towards animals. Maybe you too can raise awareness around this through your writings and social mediums.

-> Last, but not the least, another chapter on the reasons why the world, especially the west, does not give credit to Hinduism for its vegetarianism practice over thousands of years. It needs to be called out. I see all vegan proponents (part of Christian dominated world and media) reluctant to even give an iota of credit to Hinduism. Also the link of "protein" dominating the meat industry needs to be called out. This bluff has been propagated by the west and needs to be countered with all force.

[Sooraj Naga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before becoming complacent to popular narratives, it might be useful to examine the facts to see what is the real motive in hindsight. Cownomics offers you a bottom-up perspective to examine Gaurakshak from a global lens.
Degeneration that is readily evident in front of our eyes, that we skip and indulge in for sensory pleasure, eventually comes back and strikes like a storm that hits us without warning because we have left a karmic footprint on it.
Having grown up in a household where vegetarianism is a norm, it is extremely easy for people similar to me to sustain[ It's not a flaunt ;) ].
However, it is only now that everyone has to pay attention to the global crisis of the meat industry and its effect on climate change.
The mission of this book is to impart a model for creating a Utopian habitat where the netzero culture can happen to be a reality. Thanks to Arti Agarwal for creating this book.

[Abhimanyu · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really Lovely and excellent book. Author has highlighted so many beautiful points about Cow and her importance in our society, health and economy. Author also gave us so many scientific facts and research from our Hindu scriptures as well. It also talks about the situation of abandon cows and how to help them which is very important in today's time. Thanks Artiji.

[Eugene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well researched and written book about the centrality of the cow to the Indian way of life. Looking at the terrible payback nature is extracting, it's prudent to look into the ways in which we can live in harmony with it.

[Shailesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books calls out the changes in our lifestyle, in our thinking in clear words. It blows this myth so called progress of the modern world with lots of research papers that are backed by scientific studies.
It shows a mirror to the world & to Indians specifically to wake up & understand why our ancestors worshipped the cow & consider it holy.

This is for all the pet owners. How can someone love one animal & be completely detached on apathy of the slaughterers animals consumed by them ?

This book has left a lasting impression on me & i plan to wake up to this reality & do my karma

[Sahana Hs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its really loving and exiting to read , throughout the book it carried all about the sacredness of Cow and its holiness, over which the human impact of the damage caused to the Earth, by our lifestyle.

[Adarsh ಆದರ್ಶ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Holy Cow" for some lowlife creature's in bharat this beautiful creation of devataa is a reason to insult the majority or make fun off but the cow was not just a pet nor a business entity for our ancestors they were more of a family. Once revered through out this desha for generations has been brought down to mere money making Machine for dairy farming and leather & meat industry. Delicacy for some mental retards who are still in the colonial Hangover. This book explores the ill effects of dairy,Leather and meat industry on planet's atmosphere and climate with backed scientific research as well as verses from hindu spiritual texts . Cownomics model as said by the author is nothing but going back to our indegenious or ancient methods in agriculture and curbing the meat and leather which is one of the highest contributor for all the pollution and toxic environment which we live today. So to sustain our future and give a healthy planet to our NextGen we have to follow this model of forming a healthy and a prosperous society once that was.

Very informative read!

[Kavita Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a well-researched and written book about the centrality of the cow to the Indian way of life. Author also gave us so many scientific facts and research from our Hindu scriptures as well. Reading this book will give further insight of the significance of the cow worship.

[Palak Dubey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are several aspects that are really really remarkable in this unique, one of its kind book! From setting the context from what the 'shashtra' or the written text speak of, to going beyond into the practical realms and their subsequent impact in the more known aspects of day-to-day interactions is really an amazing flow to hold the reader tied. The length of the chapters, and the way some very basic facts are communicated, make the reader really delve deeper without having to input a lot of pages, which is really a plus point.

I really feel that the depth of a particular philosophy comes when one goes through each and everything that is written previously about that thing, and practicing and proceeding from there.. this is an excellent attempt with respect to cows and their primal role! Something that was beyond my awareness till I got a chance to come across this book! The way various verses are put to context from an action-ability and context make it very rich!

An attempt towards providing and proposing an implementation model and imparting an insight into a vivid habitat and how potent it is to not just resolve for, but create something that is self-sustainable and much forward-looking as many of us might not realise!

[Aman Anurag · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cow is unarguably, the most sacred animal in Hindu dharma. It is referred to in a lot of religious processions, procedures and traditions. But the same cow had another economic value as well.
Having risen in a family where vegetarianism is a norm, it is very simple for people similar to me to sustain.
However, it is only now that everyone has to pay attention to the widespread crisis of the flesh industry and its effect on climate change.
The goal of this book is to impart a model for creating a Utopian habitat where the NetZero culture can happen to be a reality. Thanks to Arti Agarwal Ji for creating this book.

[Vineet Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember that during my childhood there were 4 oxen and one cow in our family. Cow/oxen were backbone of all agricultural activities, be it tilling of land, carrying of loads, harvesting, travelling other places with bullock cart. So much Sometimes was spent with them. After nearly 30 years, I was involved in agricultural activity in my village. Now all oxen/cow are gone and I calculated that nearly 10,000/- rupees are spent per acre for paddy sowing. The added cost is of tractor tilling and fertilizers, which was not there earlier. Result is that nobody is interested in agriculture and keeping cow. Another thing is that earlier milk based sweets were luxury inspite of the fact that every house used to produce sufficient quantity of milk. The demand of milk based sweets and consumption of tea has lead to mushrooming of dairy farms where cattle undergo pathetic conditions. During Vedic period and post Vedic period cow had important place in society. Prosperity of the state was linked with number of cows one possessed. If any king tried to capture the cow herd of other state, it was taken as attack on the state.
Sometimes the word ‘Vikaas’ intrigues me. What is parameter of ‘Vikaas’? And at what cost? Is it development that we have become largest exporter of beef? I wonder how hindus turned from cow worshipper to beef eater? A larger population of hindus now eat beef.
Coming to book, I can say that the author has done commendable job by doing extensive research in the field, the author says ‘Cownomics’ – cow based economy. One side where the author talks about the danger done by beef, leather and dairy industry to the environment, the other side the author suggests the measure to counter them. An another thing author talks is ‘Karmic footprtints’, the sufferings done to animals by human create ‘Karmic footprints’. The nature will revert back same to us in same way. We will also suffer.
I am thankful to the author that through this book she done her duty to sensitise the world about Karmic footprints and it is our duty to reduce the karmic footprints. A masterpiece by Arti Agarwal.

[Abhishek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cownomics is a stimulating read on the importance of the Cow in Indian civilization and the need to re-center our society around the Cow. Arti Agarwal provides a concise research-based summary of the challenges in today's world due to meat consumption and the ecosystem enabling it.

The Cow has been worshipped and revered since the Vedic times in India. Its utility and impact on the wellbeing of family and society are immeasurable. Hence, it is bewildering to realize that such a society is now one of the leading exporters of beef in the world. The author painstakingly details the root cause of this degeneration in this book.

From the Cow being a sentient being, to the carbon footprint due to the cattle and dairy industry, the economic and environmental cost to produce the meat that we consume, the poisoning of our food, air, soil, and water as a result of harmful agricultural practices, the clearing of the rainforests, the exploitation of animals by the food and leather industry and the immeasurable suffering caused, and the cost to human life due to the working conditions, etc., we are presented a barrage of sobering facts which get mind-numbing after a point. The scale at which we exploit natural resources has reached stratospheric levels and will cause irreversible damage unless we drastically change our anything-for-profit approach.

The author also explains the remarkable characteristics of the Cow and how everything it generates can be used for fertilizers, biogas, producing clean energy, medicinal purposes, etc. With "Cownomics," she posits a framework that can be developed to live a sustainable, humane, ethical, and environmentally conscious way of life centered around the Cow.

One interesting aspect was the author's coinage of the term "karmic footprint" of an activity, which she defines as the measure of the amount of violence, suffering, or pain that action has caused to living beings. Including the Karmic footprint in our cost-benefit analysis would make us re-think many of our existing systems.

A thought-provoking read on the urgent need to change our habits and, more importantly, our approach to life itself if we are to have any hope of sustaining on this planet.

[Neha Deshpande · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great read! Arti does a fantastic job of concisely representing all the reasons why the modern day meat-dairy-leather industries should cease to exist. I love that she brought attention to the danger of depletion of top soil and the loss of arable land which is rarely discussed in relation to climate change.

Some positive reminders:
- Cows have been worshipped and cared for as part of the family, for centuries by Hindus. Vegetarianism was the norm and our ancestors fought hard against the introduction of meat and cow slaughter into India by invaders/ colonizers.
- Cows (and I would add, other animals) are sentient, kind, innately nurturing creatures. As the more technologically advanced species, we humans are morally responsible to care for our planet. We know better than to feed into the flywheel of our own extinction by killing innocent animals and destroying biological ecosystems.

Some aspects I disagree with:
- Towards the end of the book Arti describes a sustainable cow-centric society that she considers the ideal. While this was sustainable in the Vedic ages, this is no longer something we can achieve as our population continues to grow exponentially. It is more feasible to start to cut down meat/dairy consumption and the artificial rearing of cows in its entirety by going vegan. We no longer need to rely on cows to survive and thrive.

[Hemant · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author spends most of the time on the place of cow in the society according to Hindu scriptures, deterioration of environment due to chemical farming, inhumane treatment of cows in beef production industry. The "cownomics"model proposed at the end of the book is just a collection of few ideas such as bio gas production and organic fertilizer production from cow manure, use of bulls in producing energy and its integration in local electricity grid, use of goshala-s, reserved forests for cows, etc.

The references given at the end of the book are quite comprehensive and will be a nice starting point for anyone who wants to know different aspects of interaction amongst cows, environment, food, and water.

[EstelleLiterature · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was reading the book on Kastur Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi's wife), I noticed he refused to drink cow milk because India's cows and bulls were already maltreated then. This was in the nineteenth century when the population pressure in India was five to six times less. Agarwal's book opened my eyes and deepened my understanding of all farm animals' plight today, not just cows and bulls, not just in India but everywhere, under the pressure of a global human population exceeding eight billion today. The measures she suggests may not apply to the West but her intention is noble.

[Ruturaj Yadav · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about the importance of cows in human civilization. Also, it points out the stark negatives and socio-economic-environmental impact on the globe due to negligence/consumption of cattle. While it is good to understand the social, historical and mythological significance, I felt the author could have dwelled more on the details of the cownomics model. The practicality of this book would have been highlighted better then.

[Ashwini · Rating 4 out of 5]

The amount of research that Arti has put into writing this book is very commendable. The book by itself is very well written. The statistics mentioned are mind boggling. The book touched a chord in me.