Bhupen Goswami 

 Guwahati: President Draupadi Murmu arrives in Assam on a three-day visit. Today, Murmu inaugurated the Gaj Utsav-2023 at Kaziranga National Park. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that there is a very sacred relationship between nature and humanity. The culture of respecting nature has been the identity of our country. Nature and culture in India have been linked to each other and have been receiving nutrition from each other.

Elephants are the most respected in our tradition. It has been considered a symbol of prosperity. It is the national heritage animal of India. Therefore, protecting elephants is an important part of our national responsibility to preserve our national heritage. Murmu has said that if we think deeply, it is clear that the work which is beneficial for nature and animals and birds is also in the interest of humanity.

“Project Elephant, sponsored by the Government of India, completes 30 years. I am very happy to inaugurate Gajotsav-23. The main objectives of this project are to protect elephants, maintain their natural habitat and keep the elephant corridor barrier-free. At the same time, solving the problems related to the conflict between humans and elephants is also the goal and challenge of this project. All these objectives are interlinked.

The conflict between humans and elephants has been an issue for centuries. Referring to an article by ancient poet Tripurari Pal, he said, “He has written that human beings should not take pride in intelligence by tying elephants in bondage. It is the calm and polite nature of the elephant that he is accepting the bond. If he gets angry and gives up his modesty, he can destroy everything. He also mentioned a documentary film made for the conservation of elephants.

“In our society, the culture of nature has been interlinked. In our tradition, the elephant i.e. Gajraj has been the most respected. Gajanand is first worshiped in the puja. “The elephant has also been considered as a symbol of prosperity in our country. The elephant has been ranked as the National Heritage Animal in our country. It is our responsibility to protect the elephant. The elephant is considered very intelligent and sensitive. The elephant is also a social animal like a human being. He lives with the family and in groups. If he is separated from the family, he gets upset. If an elephant is separated from its group, try to introduce it to its group.

If not possible, follow them like your own children. Earlier, President Draupadi Murmu was received by senior state ministers and officials at Bokakhat. Here he did jeep safari in Bagori range. On the second day of his visit to Assam, he enjoyed a jeep safari at Kaziranga National Park on Friday morning, officials said. She also went inside the park from Mihimukh Point. There he saw one-horned rhinoceros, wild buffaloes, deer and birds, among other animals. Not only this, the President also fed the elephants inside the park. The President will leave for Guwahati on Friday afternoon, where she will flag off the ‘Mount Kanchenjunga Expedition-2023’. She will also participate in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of gauhati high court in the evening. On Saturday, the third and final day of her visit to Assam, the President will visit Tezpur. Here she will fly in a Sukhoi 30 fighter aircraft from the Air Force Center. Earlier in 2009, the then President Pratibha Patil had flown in a frontline fighter aircraft.