Taming the philandering bull

Even today I dread that giant bull which attacked me and my wife when we were going to the nearby vegetable market for some shopping. But for my quick reflexes, at least one of us would have been gored.

Somehow, we managed to pull ourselves away just in time and escaped the bull's wrath by a whisker.

Even as I was wondering whether it was provoked by my wife's red sari, I was told by the shopkeepers that it was a hot-headed animal which had attacked many others.

The robust bull had shapely limbs. Its brown coat with a prominent drop-like white patch on the forehead gave it a distinct look. Without prejudice, I must admit that it was a beautiful creature.

Nevertheless, before retreating, I intently looked into its eyes for a moment.

With its eyes bulging, it responded by blowing violently through its expanded nostrils. That sent another chill down our spine. We hastily left the place. But soon we saw another bull and some stray cows near the vegetable market.

Discretion being the better part of valour, we simply took a detour, finished our job, returned home and thanked God for being kind to us.

Stray bulls, cows and dogs roaming about freely on busy streets and congested localities have been a common sight in many cities in India.

They have coexisted with humans for ages. But with growing pressure on space and increasing activity in all fields, they are posing hazards to traffic and the population. This is forcing the civic authorities to do something about the problem.

The other day, a newspaper reported that due to increasing complaints of attacks, the local authorities had rounded up stray bulls and put them in a cattle pound.

Under a good scheme, not only has the menace been contained, but the bulls have also been put to a rather productive use.

I visited the place to find out if my bête noire was also there and, if so, how it was faring. Yes, it was very much there. Billoo, as I would like to call it, was securely leashed and was helpless.

That was my day. So I felt like thumbing my nose at it. But I decided not to match Billoo's bullishness. I forgave him. I was content with simply giving him a hard look. There was no blowing this time. The poor fellow only returned a cold look.

I was told that Billoo was now a chastised and disciplined creature. An attendant said Billoo was well-behaved and obeyed commands. It was more heartening to know that Billoo and all others of its ilk were working and earning for themselves!

They drive wheels to charge batteries to light the compound at night. In the process they chop their feed - and enjoy clean food, in sharp contrast to what they were picking out from garbage until the other day.

There is more. The place also functions as a stud farm where the bulls have been put to a more productive use. Dairy owners bring their cows for servicing. The fee they pay is spent on the upkeep of the bulls as well as the place.

Gone are the days when these philanderers were roaming about in the city's congested areas bullying cows and attacking humans. Now they are leading a regulated life.

Billoo and its companions have no choices left in matters of their personal life. The philanderers can meet only those cows that are brought in by the dairy farmers. They must do what the authorities want them to do to earn for themselves and for the establishment.

Lalit Raizada is a journalist based in India.