Maheshwari (28) is from Pondicherry. She has been travelling across the country in her bullet for the past ten years. She has tripped across the country to create awareness about various subjects including using helmets, road safety among other subjects.
Currently, she is travelling across Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry to conduct a signature campaign in support of jallikattu. She started this journey yesterday from Pondicherry and has reached Coimbatore after travelling across Chennai, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Salem and Erode. When speaking to an online media she said, “I have travelled more than 1000 kms and I am planning to travel to Kanyakumari on my way to Pondicherry.”
“So far signatures have been obtained from 1000 persons in support of jallikattu. Jallikattu which was held in 265 villages in Vellore district has completely vanished and this is very sad.” she said. When asked why she chose to travel to create awareness about jallikattu, in a jiffy comes the reply, “Milk obtained from the native cows of Tamil Nadu has more energy.”
She added that “jallikattu is banned with the aim to destroy the native breeds. In the past, one stud bull was available for 4 cows, but now there is only 1 bull for 8 cows. One native breed among 7 is already extinct. Now there are only 6 native bulls. If the present situation continues, they too will vanish. We have to depend on foreign countries for milk production.” she said.
She also said that she will hand over the signatures she collects during this journey to the Chief Minister of Pondicherry and seek further action to conduct jallikattu in a bid to save the native breed of cattle from extinction.
“If jallikattu is conducted this year, it will be a victory for Tamilians” she said.