Friederike Irina Bruning
Friederike Irina, now called Sudevi Mataji is an animal rights activist. She was awarded India's fourth highest civilian the Padma Shri.[1] for being the founder of Radha Surabhi Goshala in 1996. Originally from Germany, Sudevi Dasi has been residing in Radha Kund (Vrindavan) for over 35 years, taking care of cows in need.[2]
Early Life
At the age of 20, in 1978, she came to India as a tourist post completing her education in Berlin, Germany
In search of life's purpose, she came to Radha Kund. Found herself under the guidance of guru Srila Tinkudi Gosvami. At a neighbour's request, she brought a cow. She also taught herself Hindi, brought books related to cows and devoted herself completely to taking care of stray animals.[3]
Philosophy
She has been staying in India for more than 25 years. Her way of life is highly influenced the teachings of Bhagwat Gita, Upanishads, traditions, the temples built here. Since this knownledge was not readily available in her country, she considers Indians as lucky, where even children are thought through our tradition and mythology stories without having to search for it, it is imbibed in them.
She is a vegetarian and considers any form of activity that causes violence, fear and hatred are bad for health. She believes food has a major impact on our lives. Food follows in three categories sattva (pure and light), rajas ( active and passionate ) and tamas (heavy, gross and violent). Meat falls in tama and hence she has given it up.
She regards human consciousness as of highest value. According to her people will be better without greed and selfishness. She believes in doing God’s work and has thus devoted her life to selflessly helping cows in need by giving whatever she earns to her gaushala. [4]
Career
Friederike Irina Bruning landed in Mathura, India from Berlin in 1978 as a tourist without any inkling of the life, which destiny had in store for her. She was moved by the plight of the stray animals and hence decided to stay back and care for them. German citizen Friederike Irina Bruning now fondly called as Sudevi mataji started Radha Surabhi Gaushala Niketan in Radhakund in the year 1996. [5]
This gaushala (cowshed) is spread across 3300 sq yards. It takes in sick, injured, unable to walk and starved cows. Here they receive necessary nutrition and are nursed back to health. [6] Sudevi mataji has built the gaushala keeping in mind minor detailing. The gaushala is divided in such a manner where the cows needing special care have a place for themselves.[7] Blind and severely injured cows, needing attention are kept in separate enclosure. Currently she has 90 workers and 1800 sick cows. On the 71st Republic Day the government of India recognised her services and she was honoured with a Padma Shri.[8]
Getting funds has been one of the major challenges faced by Friederike Irina. To address this, she has been renting her native property in Berlin but all her funds get exhausted in taking care in running the Gaushala.She doesn’t get any support from any Government agencies. Also in 2018, she was facing issue about visa, which was resolved by Sushma Swaraj and Hema Malini.
Awards
- Padma Shri Award given by President, Ram Nath Kovind on Republic Day, 2019.[9] [10]
References
- ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Padma Awards ,Government of India. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
- ^ "'Lady Tarzan' to 'Mother of Trees': 6 Awe-Inspiring Women Who Just Won the Padma Shri". The Better India. March 19, 2019.
- ^ https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/meet-this-german-lady-who-provides-shelter-to-1200-sick-cows-in-mathura-her-tale-will-bring-tears-to-your-eyes/860386/
- ^ https://lifebeyondnumbers.com/friederike-irina-bruening-sudevi-mataji-german-tourist-who-became-a-gaurakshak-in-mathura/
- ^ https://lifebeyondnumbers.com/friederike-irina-bruening-sudevi-mataji-german-tourist-who-became-a-gaurakshak-in-mathura/
- ^ https://radhasurabhigoshala.weebly.com/about-us.html
- ^ https://radhasurabhigoshala.weebly.com/about-us.html
- ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/mathura-german-gau-sevak-gets-padma-shri/articleshow/67714627.cms
- ^ https://orissadiary.com/president-ramnath-kovind-presents-padma-shri-ms-friederike-irina-bruning-social-work/
- ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/german-who-dedicated-her-life-to-cows-gets-padma/articleshow/67716663.cms