India's First Woman Elephant Mahout, Parbati Baruah, Receives Padma Shri on Republic Day Eve

As India prepares to celebrate its 75th Republic Day, the nation proudly announced the recipients of the prestigious Padma awards. 

Among the 132 distinguished individuals recognized for their outstanding contributions to various fields, one name stands out – Parbati Baruah, affectionately known as 'Hasti Kanya,' who has been awarded the Padma Shri for her exceptional work in animal conservation and her groundbreaking role as India's first woman elephant mahout.

Image Credit - nenews

Parbati Baruah, now 67 years old, hails from Gauripur in Assam, and her connection with elephants dates back to her childhood. 

Born into an Assamese Zamindar family with a rich history linked to elephants, Baruah's father, Prakritesh Barua, is a renowned elephant expert. 

Initially involved in capturing and selling elephants, the family's trade ceased following the government's ban on the practice. 

Notably, some of their clients included the royal families of Bhutan, Cooch Behar, and Jaipur.

At the age of 14, Baruah accomplished the remarkable feat of capturing her first elephant in the Kachugaon forests of Kokrajhar district. 

Defying stereotypes and societal expectations, she officially became a mahout in 1972. Baruah's journey towards elephant conservation and breaking gender norms has earned her the Padma Shri, a recognition well-deserved.

Baruah's life story gained international attention, featuring in a BBC documentary titled "Queen of the Elephants." Her love for elephants is evident in her daily life, as she spends time bathing, riding, and training them. Baruah's bond with the majestic creatures is deeply rooted, describing elephants as stable, loyal, affectionate, and disciplined.

Speaking about her love for elephants, Baruah mentioned to IndiaToday, "They love me because I understand their sentiments. One call and they all come running to me."

Over the years, Baruah has actively contributed to mitigating human-elephant conflicts and has assisted three state governments in tackling and capturing wild tuskers. 

In challenging situations, such as the incident in West Bengal's Midnapore district, Baruah's expertise and her team's efforts guided a herd of over 50 elephants back to their normal migratory trail.

In a tough moment in her career in March 2003, Baruah had to make a difficult decision to protect human lives by euthanizing a rampaging elephant in Chattisgarh. She emphasized, "My work is to rescue man from the elephants, and to keep the elephants safe from man. All the elephant wants is peace and safety."

Despite her achievements, Baruah continues to live a modest life in Jalpaiguri, residing in a simple tent surrounded by the tools of her trade – ropes, chains, and khukris. 

Her expertise is still sought after whenever wild elephants stray into human settlements, showcasing the continued importance of her role in ensuring harmony between humans and elephants.

As India celebrates its 75th Republic Day, Parbati Baruah's recognition with the Padma Shri serves as an inspiration and a testament to breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields. 

Her life's work reflects a deep commitment to animal welfare and the preservation of India's rich natural heritage.