Khandre Urges Grand Dasara Farewell for Elephant Abhimanyu

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has urged Forest Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy to allow 60-year-old Captain Abhimanyu to participate in this year’s Dasara Jamboo Savari and give the veteran elephant a grand farewell.

In a letter to Ramalinga Reddy, Khandre said Abhimanyu, who has carried the 750-kg Golden Howdah six times, enjoys a huge fan following across Karnataka.

Khandre, who had served as Forest Minister in the Siddaramaiah cabinet, cited the examples of Arjuna



and Balarama, saying Arjuna, captured during the Kakanakote Khedda operation in 1968, participated in the Jamboo Savari 22 times and carried the Golden Howdah on eight occasions. 

Arjuna was allowed to participate in Dasara even after turning 60. Balarama, too, continued to participate in the festivities at an advanced age. 

Khandre requested that Abhimanyu also be accorded the same honour and allowed to participate in the Jamboo Savari before being given a dignified farewell.