Softdrinks, anyone?

Are you a soda drinker like myself? Or does your Pepsi lack pep? Is your Coke not the real thing? Well, India has the answer: a new soft drink made from cow urine.

Yes indeed, this bovine brew is in the final stages of development in India by the Cow Protection Department of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), India's biggest and oldest Hindu nationalist group. And according to the man who made it, it will be called "gau jal", or "cow water".

Actually folks, the drink is the latest attempt by the RSS to cleanse India of foreign influence and promote its ideology of Hindutva, or Hindu-ness. You see Hindus revere cows and slaughtering them is illegal in most part of India.

But hey, you need not worry as it won't smell like urine and will be tasty too. They claim that it's going to be very healthy. It won't be like carbonated drinks and would be devoid of any toxins. Mr Prakash, the maker, said his drink, is made mainly of cow urine, mixed with a few medicinal and ayurvedic herbs. He said it would be cheap, but declined to give further details about its price or ingredients until it will be officially launched.

He insisted, however, that it would be able to compete with the American cola brands, even with their enormous advertising budgets. "We're going to give them good competition as our drink is good for mankind," he said. "We may also think of exporting it."

Hmmm.... I think I'll pass on this one!