Puri, August 12
Padma Shri awardee and internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik marked World Elephant Day by creating a 12-foot-long sand sculpture of an elephant.
Pattnaik highlighted the importance of protecting the animal and its habitat with the slogan "Save our habitat" inscribed on the sculpture. In a video, Sudarsan Pattnaik said, "On World Elephant Day, a 12-foot-long elephant sculpture was made, showing a forest being cut down. The elephant's mouth touched a tree, symbolising the need to protect elephants and their homes."
India is home to nearly 60 per cent of the world's wild elephant population, with 33 elephant reserves and 150 identified elephant corridors, as per the 2023 Report on Elephant Corridors in India.
Every year, August 12 is celebrated as World Elephant Day across the globe to reaffirm mankind's collective pledge to conserve one of the most iconic species on the planet.
In India, elephants are regarded as National Heritage animals and are deeply ingrained in our culture, a press release issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change mentioned.
Earlier on August 10, as the nation prepares to celebrate the 79th Independence Day, Padma Shri awardee and internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a stunning sand sculpture at Puri Beach, Odisha, based on the theme 'Har Ghar Tiranga', echoing the nationwide call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to celebrate the Tricolour and foster a renewed sense of unity and patriotism.
The sand art, depicting the Indian National Flag and symbolic elements of national pride, aims to encourage citizens to hoist the Tiranga at their homes and participate wholeheartedly in the Har Ghar Tiranga movement. Through this initiative, Pattnaik seeks to inspire collective participation in honouring the sacrifices of India's freedom fighters and celebrating the achievements of a sovereign nation.
"The Tiranga is not just a flag, it is a symbol of our identity, unity, and pride. Through my sand art, I want to encourage every Indian to join the Har Ghar Tiranga movement and celebrate Independence Day with a spirit of togetherness," said Sudarsan Pattnaik.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Beautiful work! But I wonder if these symbolic gestures actually lead to concrete action. Our elephant corridors are shrinking every year due to infrastructure projects. Government needs to walk the talk.
Elephants are Ganesha's form on Earth! 😠We must protect them as we would protect our temples. Sudarsan ji's art reminds us of our dharma towards nature. Jai Hind!
As someone who visited Kerala last year and saw wild elephants, this hits home. The human-animal conflict is real. We need sustainable solutions that protect both wildlife and local communities.
While I appreciate the art, we need more than symbolism. Our forest department is understaffed and underfunded. When will we see actual budget increases for wildlife conservation?
So proud to see Indian artists leading the way in environmental awareness! 👠Elephants are part of our cultural fabric - from temple processions to festivals. Let's protect them for future generations.
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