11
Department responsible for such a beneficial measure brought to the doors
of our ill-clad and ill-fed ryots can reasonably feel proud. I visualise that
the progressive application of this incredibly cheap yet very effective
method of active immunisation would one day lead Assam to be
almost Rinderpest free to the great relief of ryots, of the Civil Veterinary
Department and of the Government alike.
58. While prophylactic treatment has earned such a popularity further
appreciation of services rendered by the Department is signified by the fact
that despite the year being healthy from the view point of contagious diseases
there had been substantial increase in the total number of cases treated
which stands at 1,94,632 this year as against 1,77,270 of the last year.
This progress proves beyond a shadow of doubt that the ryots have been
increasingly realising the value of scientific veterinary aid so that they are
coming with greater number of sick animals to the Veterinary Assistant
Surgeons for treatment whether in the interior or in the dispensaries and
hospitals.
59. It is equally gratifying to record that the first and foremost step
for improvement of livestock, to wit, emasculation of weedy bulls has been
receiving very close attention of the Department so that the volume of
service rendered in this direction has been quite significant and showed a
considerable improvement over that of any of the preceding years. Thus
the total number of castrations performed in bloodless method with Burdiz-
zio's castrator, which was first introduced in India by the Civil Veteri-
nary Department, Assam, stood at 37,364 as against 33,997 of the last
year.
60. Another redeeming feature is that ail told there had been a total
mortality of 35,017 animals this year against 48,317 of the last year and
59,241 of the year 1938-39. Nothing could be more eloquent proof of
efficient veterinary service than this. The appreciation of service rendered
is also exhibited in the constant demand from ryots and private organi-
sations on the Department on the Local Boards and sometimes direct on
the Government and also in the floor of the Legislative Assembly for more
veterinary institutions in the province specially in rural areas sometimes
even with voluntary offer of land and money.
61. The value of livestock in India in all its bearing according to the
latest information given by the Principal Information Officer with the
Government of India is estimated at two thousand crores of rupees—far
exceeding the value of the cash-crops in India—to quote this officer "A
figure which proclaims this industry (Livestock Industry) as one of the most
important in the world ". Economic development of India is claimed to be
the main consideration in the national uplift and a vigorous plea is made
for advancement of agriculture and industries in India. It is all very
deserving ; what however is more deserving and of greater importance is
not only to preserve but to promote the main industry—livestock industry
in India, never forgetting that livestock is our chief and most valuable
national wealth, it is the fountain and main spring of our national pros-
perity, happiness and efficiency, it is our very life so to speak. I cannot
resist quoting here a precious line from a speech by His Excellency the
present Viceroy of India which run thus :—
" Cow and the working bullock carry on their patient back the
whole structure of India's agriculture ".