Nalla Thambi Sarkarai Manradiar (70), grandson of Rai Bahadur Nalla Thambi Sarkarai Manradiar who was credited with evolving of Kangayam breed of cattle from non-descript cattle, has himself now come forward with a mission to save the breed from extinction.
Through the recently constituted non-profit organisation, Palayakottai Pattagar Cattle Farm and Research Centre,at Palayakottai in the district, he is planning to promote the breeding on a large scale with the cattle in his possession that was inherited from the bloodline of the Kangayam cattle which his grandfather evolved as a separate breed.
Mr. Nalla Thambi Sarakarai Manradiar, who is popularly known as Rajkumar Manradiar, is also the 36thPattagar of Palayakottai in the ancestry line of Pattagars (Ministers), the title assigned by Pandya kings to his forefathers.
The title, which is hereditary, is passed on to the eldest sons of the family.
Actually, the concern germinated in the mind after seeing the population of Kangayam cattle dwindling for the past many years made Mr. Rajkumar Manradiar to plunge himself into the conservation of the breed.
“Apart from the breeding of cattle, we will also be promoting the production of value-added products from the dung and urine of the cow so that the demand for the cattle per se can be improved”, Mr. Rajkumar Manradiar told The Hindu .
Already, the Research Centre has started producing vibhooti given to devotees at the temple, and medicinal products on a pilot basis. Revenue obtained from sales of value-added products will be reinvested in conservation activities, said Mr. Manradiar.
The Centre has also commenced rehabilitation of Kangayam bulls and cows which are rescued from slaughtering.
