Hubli: Nagappa Badawadagi, a thirty-five-year-old bonded labourer from Kalabandakeri village in Bagalkot district, has now pinned hopes on his lucky goat, with half-moon scar on its forehead, to rid him from chronic poverty. Another farmer from the same village Irappa Angadi also owns a goat with similar scar. Both have set a price of Rs 3 lakh for their animals and are even willing to wait till next Bakrid.
These goats are much sought after during Bakrid festival, as the half-moon scar is considered a holy sign by the Muslim community. They believe that it is auspicious and would bring prosperity if they sacrifice such goats. They both have refused to sell the animals at Sangli market in Maharashtra, even though a Mumbai resident had offered Rs 2 lakh for each goat.
Bakrid or Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice, will be observed across the country on Monday. The festival will be marked by the sacrifice of goats. These two villagers are hoping to cash in on the unique scars on their goats and are not willing to settle for anything less than Rs 3 lakh. They also intend to provide publicity among interested buyers, as the price of goats, in general, have skyrocketed with Bakrid barely a day away.
“I am working as bonded laborer in a farm and earn Rs 45,000 and two bags of food-grains per annum from the landlord. I am hopeful that the lucky goat will resolve my financial problems. Therefore, I have decided to sell my goat for Rs 3 lakh, as such goats are in great demand among Muslims. I also willing to wait till next Bakrid if the goat does not fetch a good price. We will decorate the holy goat and take it on a bullock-cart to attract customers,” Nagappa Badawadagi said.
