Now Reading: Khandre urges Abhimanyu be made Nishaane elephant in Dasara
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Khandre urges Abhimanyu be made Nishaane elephant in Dasara
Former Karnataka forest minister Eshwar Khandre has written to new Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy urging that elephant Abhimanyu be given a dignified farewell by involving him as the Nishaane elephant in this year's Mysuru Dasara. Abhimanyu, who carried the 750 kg golden howdah six times and participated in Dasara 22 times, has been dropped after turning 60.
Khandre noted that earlier elephants Arjuna and Balarama were similarly honoured before retirement. He cited the public's emotional bond with Abhimanyu, who was rescued in a 1968 Kakanakote operation and has helped rescue over 300 elephants and 80 tigers. Conservator of Forest S S Ravishankar said a team of officials and veterinarians selected elephants based on criteria including response to mahouts, and Abhimanyu is fit but dropped due to age.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The request taps into a well-established Karnataka tradition: retiring howdah elephants are often given a ceremonial last march as Nishaane elephant, leading the procession. Abhimanyu, captured in the 1960s when Khedda operations were still legal, has become a beloved public figure. The decision rests with the forest department's elephant selection committee. Fans are watching whether the new minister, Ramalinga Reddy, will honour the precedent set for Arjuna and Balarama. The next milestone is the final list of Dasara elephants, expected in the coming weeks.
Source: deccanherald.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
