13 cows dead in December, rearing 23 cattle now; 16-year-old dairy farmer Mathew Benny is thankful for all the love

THODUPUZHA: Cows arrived at Mathew Benny's home again as Kerala showered love for him, who was grieving after the mass death of 13 of his beloved cows.

The 16-year-old boy, who won the government's award for best dairy farmer, now has 23 cattle, including seven dairy cows, at his home farm in Velliyamattom, Idukki. More than 60 litres of milk is received a day. 40 litres in the morning and 20 litres in the evening. Milk will be sold at homes and societies.

13 out of 22 cows died of cyanide poisoning on the night of December 31, 2023. As the news spread in the media, help poured in from all over Kerala. Ministers J Chinchu Rani and Roshy Augustine visited the house and gave five insured dairy cows through the Livestock Board. Three pregnant cows were given by CPM. Kareena, the cow given by PJ Joseph MLA, is pregnant now. Two cows and a calf were given by the Catholic Congress. Mammootty, Prithviraj, Jayaram, Lulu Group, Milma etc also helped financially. 17 lakh rupees were received. This money is being spent on rearing the cows. Each cow and calf is called by name. Kochu Rani, Aishwarya Rani, twins Ponnu and Minnu, Mariamma, Martha and Kannappi, Vellakidavu and daughter Alphonsa... Mathew is their best friend.
It was Kerala Kaumudi that informed the world in 2020, about the life of an eighth grader who took over the cows after his father Benny died. Seeing this, minister Chinchu Rani called them on the phone and gave them money to build a cowshed. After Benny's death, his wife Shiny decided to sell the cows, which saddened Mathew. His mother agreed and he started taking care of the cows.

Ten cows became 22 in two years. Mathew is good at studies. He is a Plus One student at Velliyamattom CKVHS and wants to become a veterinary doctor in the future. Mathew is preparing for entrance with the help of Brilliant coaching centre. His sister Rose Marie is in 10th grade and his eldest brother George is preparing to go abroad for higher studies after high school.