Animals are 'jeevan dhan', calling them 'pashu' inappropriate: Murmu at veterinary institute event

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said she feels that using the word 'pashu' for animals was ''inappropriate'' and referred to them as 'jeevan dhan' (valuable for life).

Speaking at the 11th convocation ceremony of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Murmu said life without animals cannot be imagined.

''Truly speaking, animals and human beings share a relationship. Today, we have technology, but in the past, they (animals) were our 'saadhan' (for transportation) and 'bal' (force) for the farmers.

''Hence, I do not find the word 'pashu' appropriate for animals as they are 'jeevan dhan'. We cannot think of life without them,'' Murmu said.