Cow Speak

Hi! Myself, “Cow”... You know me as gowmata, born and raised in Mumbai. My elders migrated here along with our masters long ago.

Every morning my caretaker and her grandson take me to strategic points in Lower Parel, the cash cow of this city, bustling with business parks, industrial estates, hospitals, temples... They know that people who rush to their workplaces have plenty of reasons to pray. They have strung a colourful rope around my neck, to which is attached a bell. Having tied me to one of the pillars of a bus stop, they spread out a dirty towel on the pavement. Although I block the pavement, nobody cares. They don’t dare disturb me. Mornings are my peak time when people stop by for blessings, on their way to work, praying, pleading... They believe I can put in a good word with the gods for promotions, better jobs, marriage alliances, income tax, business success, illness... I listen. But frankly, I have never prayed in my life. We have no gods... you see, we are atheists.