Goa, June 30 -- Addressing the 11th convocation of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly, President Droupadi Murmu called for a change in how society refers to animals, urging people to replace the commonly used Hindi word 'pashu' (animal) with 'jeevan dhan'-a term that translates to "wealth of life."

Highlighting the deep interconnection between humans and animals, President Murmu said, "Life without animals cannot be imagined." She emphasized their historical importance as essential partners in agriculture and transportation before the rise of modern machinery. "Today, we have technology, but in the past, animals were the saadhan (means) and bal (strength) of the farmers," she noted.

President Murmu underscored t...