Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], The last rites of a peacock were performed with national honors at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) after the national bird was injured following a dog attack in the district of Varanasi.
The peacock was injured in a dog attack in the garden of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel hostel on the BHU campus, following which the bird was cremated with national honors in the Tulsi garden of the hostel at 11 am on Sunday.
Hostel administrative warden and journalism department professor Dr Dhirendra Rai reportedly received information about an injured peacock on Saturday night, after which he reached the spot and informed the forest department.
The injured bird was immediately taken to a Mahmoorganj doctor, Dr Narendra Pratap Singh, by the university ambulance where, despite hours of treatment, it could not be saved.
The national bird was then cremated with national honors in the presence of Dr. Dhirendra Rai, warden of the lodge and professor of the Pali department. Dr. Shailendra Singh, forest department officials and all the resident students of the hostel were present at the cremation ceremony.
Students present at the ceremony said that the presence of peacocks in the university enhances the beauty of the campus and that coexistence on campus deepens human sensitivity towards the animals and birds that live here.
Speaking to ANI, Dr Dhirendra said, “Preservation of national symbols, including the peacock, is possible only through deep faith.
Dr. Dhirendra further cited the animal promotion and conservation campaign led by the university's founder, Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya, for animals and birds on the campus from 1929 to 1941 and the love for peacocks expressed by the first Minister Narendra Modi.
He said that when the revered founder of the university and highest representative of the country is serious about the protection of national birds and animals, it is the responsibility of us, the citizens, to also introspect and work on the matter.
"Universities have the responsibility of training young people, so the role of these institutions becomes more important in such a situation that they establish a strong sense of respect for national resources among young people," he said.
In the last ten years (2012 - 22) more than 35 cases of illegal hunting of peacocks have been recorded and the threat to the existence of this bird is constantly increasing.
The peacock was injured in a dog attack in the garden of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel hostel on the BHU campus, following which the bird was cremated with national honors in the Tulsi garden of the hostel at 11 am on Sunday.
Hostel administrative warden and journalism department professor Dr Dhirendra Rai reportedly received information about an injured peacock on Saturday night, after which he reached the spot and informed the forest department.
The injured bird was immediately taken to a Mahmoorganj doctor, Dr Narendra Pratap Singh, by the university ambulance where, despite hours of treatment, it could not be saved.
The national bird was then cremated with national honors in the presence of Dr. Dhirendra Rai, warden of the lodge and professor of the Pali department. Dr. Shailendra Singh, forest department officials and all the resident students of the hostel were present at the cremation ceremony.
Students present at the ceremony said that the presence of peacocks in the university enhances the beauty of the campus and that coexistence on campus deepens human sensitivity towards the animals and birds that live here.
Speaking to ANI, Dr Dhirendra said, “Preservation of national symbols, including the peacock, is possible only through deep faith.
Dr. Dhirendra further cited the animal promotion and conservation campaign led by the university's founder, Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya, for animals and birds on the campus from 1929 to 1941 and the love for peacocks expressed by the first Minister Narendra Modi.
He said that when the revered founder of the university and highest representative of the country is serious about the protection of national birds and animals, it is the responsibility of us, the citizens, to also introspect and work on the matter.
"Universities have the responsibility of training young people, so the role of these institutions becomes more important in such a situation that they establish a strong sense of respect for national resources among young people," he said.
In the last ten years (2012 - 22) more than 35 cases of illegal hunting of peacocks have been recorded and the threat to the existence of this bird is constantly increasing.
