V Bellie, the tribal woman of Oscar-winning ‘The Elephant Whisperer’ fame, has become the first woman kavadi (assistant to a mahout) in Tamil Nadu. CM M K Stalin gave her the appointment order at the secretariat on Wednesday.
Bellie will be posted at Theppakadu elephant camp — the oldest in the country — in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Nilgiris. Bellie and her husband, K Bomman, were taking care of abandoned elephant calves Bommi and Raghu at Theppakadu some two years ago.“It’s a matter of pride for all of us that a woman has become a kavadi,” said Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary, environment, climate change and forest department.
In her new role Bellie will have to take care of several elephants, but she says her heart will be with the calves. “I am so happy,” she told TOI. “Besides doing a kavadi’s work, I will especially take care of the calves at the camp.” Bomman, who was also present during the occasion, said, “We are excited that the President of India is going to visit our elephant camp on Saturday. We had invited her when we visited Rashtrapati Bhavan a few months ago.”
The Oscar-winning movie was made on the poignant bonding between the mahout couple and the elephant calves Raghu and Bommi at Theppakadu. PM Narendra Modi felicitated the couple at the camp on April 9, while Stalin felicitated the stars of the Oscar-winning documentary at the secretariat on March 15. He also handed over a shield and a cheque for Rs 1 lakh each as a token of appreciation to the couple.
Bellie, of Elephant Whisperers fame, made Tamil Nadu’s 1st woman mahout’s assistant.
“It’s a matter of pride for all of us that a woman has become a kavadi,” said Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary, environment, climate change and forest department.
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