擴大宣揚印度教價值觀
The Animal Welfare Board of India attempted to rebrand Valentine’s Day this year, declaring in a statement released on February 6 that “Cow Hug Day” would be celebrated on February 14 instead. This announcement came as the latest move “to better promote Hindu values” by the country’s conservative government.
今年，印度動物福利委員會試圖重新塑造西洋情人節，在2月6日發布的一份聲明中宣布，將改在2月14日慶祝「抱牛節」，此一消息的發布，為該國保守政府為「進一步宣揚印度教價值觀」所做出的最新動作。
conservative(adj.)保守的;守舊的a conservative society保守的社會a conservative party保守黨liberal(adj.)開明的a liberal society自由開放的社會progressive(adj.)(指思想或體制)進步的;先進的
In Hindu culture, the cow is treated as a sacred animal, which the declaration of the new holiday called “the giver of all” and the “backbone of Indian culture and the rural economy.”
在印度教文化中，牛被視為神聖的動物，新節日發布時稱牛為「一切的賜予者」，而且是「印度文化和農村經濟的骨幹」。
be treated as…被當作…來對待;被視為…sacred(adj.)神聖的、值得崇敬的holy(adj.)神聖的;聖潔的the Holy Spirit聖靈declare(v.)宣佈;聲明;公佈declaration(n.)宣言;聲明;公告United States Declaration of Independence美國獨立宣言backbone(n.)脊椎、支柱、骨幹
According to the Animal Welfare Board, hugging cows on February 14 would not only “bring emotional richness” to those giving the hugs, but would also contribute to personal and national happiness.
動物福利委員會指出，在2月14日擁抱牛不僅會給人「帶來情感上的滿足」，而且還有助於增進個人和國家的幸福感。
contribute to…增進=promote
However, many have alleged that the true motivation behind the rebranding attempt was to undermine what the Hindu government sees as Westernized practices, like Valentine’s Day, violating traditional cultural values.
然而，許多人聲稱，將西洋情人節重新塑造為抱牛節，此舉背後的真正動機是為了破壞西方化的習俗，如違背傳統文化價值觀的西洋情人節。
undermine(v.)破壞;損及;削弱
With nearly 80% of India’s population being Hindu, Prime Minister Narenda Modi’s agenda has been to seek “supremacy of the religion at the expense of a secular nation known for its diversity.”
由於印度人口有將近8成是印度教教徒，總理莫迪私心的意圖一直是尋求「以一個以多樣性著稱的世俗國家為代價，來實現印度教至高無上的地位。」
with O OC 附帶狀況的說明agenda(n.)(會議的)議程、隱秘目的;不為人所知的意圖supremacy(n.)最高地位;至高無上supreme(adj.)最高(的);至高無上(的)the Supreme Court最高法院white supremacy白人至上主義at the expense of… 犧牲、以～為代價=at the cost of…=at the price of…secular(adj.)世俗的、非宗教的=nonreligiousdiversity(n.)多樣性;多元biodiversity(n.)生物多樣性ethnic diversity種族多樣性
In fact, this is just the most recent occurrence of cows being politicized in India.
事實上，印度已經不是第一次發生牛被政治化的事件。
occurrence(n.)發生的事;事件politicize(v.)使政治化;使具有政治性a highly politicized debate高度政治化的辯論
With many states outlawing cow slaughter, cow-worship has led to violence against Muslims, who have been accused of “disrespecting the animals” by far-right Hindus.
由於許多邦都禁止屠宰牛，崇拜牛導致了針對穆斯林的暴力行為，穆斯林被極右派的印度教教徒指責為「不尊重牛」。
with(prep.)因為、有outlaw(v.)使成為非法;禁止=make sth. illegalworship(v.)(n.)崇拜、敬拜、信仰
By further embracing the sacred symbol of the cow, the premise of “Cow Hug Day” has received criticism for attempting to erase one more line between the state and religion.
透過進一步擁抱牛這個神聖的象徵，「抱牛節」的前提因為試圖進一步抹去國家與宗教之間的界限，而遭到批評。
premise(n.)(作為先決條件的)假定;(邏輯)前提erase(v.)清楚;抹去=eradicate=remove
However, as quickly as Valentine’s Day was challenged by “Cow Hug Day,” the Animal Welfare Board withdrew its proposal on February 10.
然而，就在西洋情人節受到「抱牛節」的挑戰後，動物福利委員會隨即在2月10日撤回提議。
withdraw(v.)(正式)撤銷、撤回(withdraw-withdrew-withdrawn)withdraw a statement撤回聲明withdraw an accusation撤銷訴訟
The reason may have been the sharp, widespread criticism and ridicule the idea received on all forms of media—with some going as far as to call it “absolutely crazy.”
原因可能是這個想法在各式媒體上廣受冷嘲熱諷——有些人甚至說這「根本就是瘋了」。
ridicule(n.)嘲笑、奚落go as far as to do sth.甚至做到某地步
Regardless, for the time being, it appears that India’s government has chosen saving face over waging a religious war against Valentine’s Day.
無論如何，就目前而言，印度政府似乎選擇了顧面子，不再對西洋情人節發動宗教戰爭。
regardless(adv.)不管怎樣;無論如何choose A over B選擇了A，而不是Bsave face留面子、保全面子lose face丟臉wage a war against…對…發動戰爭