Latest news with #Dadi
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Asia's oldest elephant Vatsala dies at 100 leaving behind a century of legacy in Panna
Vatsala, a tuskless female elephant believed to be Asia's oldest elephant, died on Wednesday at the Panna Tiger Reserve in central India. Her death has left forest officials, local villagers, and wildlife lovers in mourning, as she was affectionately known as the matriarch and 'grandmother' of the elephant herd. Vatsala's remarkable longevity was a testament to the care she received and the strong bonds between elephants and humans in Indian wildlife sanctuaries. Her passing marks the end of an era and serves as a poignant reminder of the emotional connections that thrive in conservation landscapes. Asia's oldest elephant early life and journey to Madhya Pradesh Vatsala was originally from the Nilambur Forest Division in Kerala, a southern Indian state known for its dense forests and rich biodiversity. During her early years, she was employed in carrying forest produce—a common role for elephants in India's forest-based communities. In 1972, she was relocated to Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India, where she would spend the rest of her life. Later, in 1993, she was moved to the Panna Tiger Reserve, an area primarily known for its tiger population but which also hosts elephants among other wildlife. Source: X How Asia's oldest elephant became a symbol of strength and motherhood in the wild In Panna, Vatsala was affectionately called 'Dadi,' meaning grandmother in Hindi, a testament to her respected position among staff and fellow elephants. Despite retiring from active work in 2004, she remained an integral figure in the camp. Caretakers viewed her not just as an old elephant but as a source of wisdom and calmness. She played a key role in the social structure of the herd, often standing by younger elephants during stressful times such as childbirth, much like a midwife offering emotional support. Vatsala's long life was marked by notable challenges. She survived two violent mating attempts by a male elephant named Ram Bahadur in 2003 and 2008. These attacks were aggressive and life-threatening; one resulted in torn intestines and required over 200 stitches, necessitating a long nine-month recovery period. Despite these hardships, she demonstrated remarkable resilience and strength. She never bore calves herself but became a surrogate maternal figure to many elephants in the reserve. Oldest elephant Vatsala 's final days were marked by love and loyalty For three decades, Vatsala was cared for by her mahout, Maniram Gond, who described her as a gentle and patient creature. Even as she lost her sight in later years, her recognition and trust in her mahout remained strong. Gond recounted how Vatsala would respond promptly when called by name, lifting her trunk in acknowledgment—a touching display of the bond between elephant and caretaker. This relationship underscores the deep connection humans can share with wild animals when approached with care and respect. In her final years, Vatsala experienced blindness and digestive ailments, common conditions among elderly elephants. The caretakers adapted to her needs by hand-feeding her porridge and assisting her mobility within the camp. On Wednesday afternoon, she collapsed near a forest drain close to the Hinauta Elephant Camp. Despite urgent veterinary efforts, she passed away peacefully at around 1:30 PM. Her body was cremated at the camp, in keeping with the respect she was accorded throughout her life. Vatsala's century-long life highlights rare longevity among Asian elephants Asian elephants typically live about 60 years in the wild, although those in captivity or protected reserves may live longer due to veterinary care and absence of natural predators. Vatsala's estimated age of over 100 years is extraordinary, nearly twice the average lifespan, and highlights her exceptional status. Unfortunately, due to missing documentation from her early years, official recognition like a Guinness World Record could not be granted. Nevertheless, her life stands as a remarkable example of elephant longevity and resilience. Vatsala's story unfolds against the backdrop of the broader challenges faced by Asian elephants in India. Classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), these majestic animals confront threats such as habitat fragmentation, shrinking forest areas, and increasing human-elephant conflicts. India is home to more than 27,000 wild elephants—over half of the global population—but their future is uncertain without sustained conservation efforts. The loss of an iconic figure like Vatsala is a poignant reminder of both the beauty and vulnerability of these creatures. Also Read | Scientists discovered bone-digesting cells in Burmese pythons revealing how they turn prey into pure nutrition
The Independent
6 days ago
- General
- The Independent
‘She was our pride': Asia's oldest elephant dies at 100
Vatsala, a 100-year-old tuskless female elephant believed to be Asia 's oldest, passed away in India 's Panna Tiger Reserve on Wednesday. Affectionately known as Dadi - meaning 'grandmother' - by staff and caretakers, Vatsala spent the last three decades of her life at the reserve in Madhya Pradesh. She died after collapsing near the Hinauta Elephant Camp, despite efforts by veterinarians and forest rangers, having suffered from blindness and digestive issues in her final years. Vatsala was revered as a natural matriarch, guiding younger elephants and comforting them during illness or deliveries, despite never having had calves of her own. Her exceptional age, well beyond the typical elephant lifespan, prompted widespread mourning from forest officials and villagers, and her body was cremated at the camp.
NDTV
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Watch: Vlogger Makes Grandma Try Matcha, Her Honest Reaction Wins Hearts
Matcha is clearly not everyone's cup of tea! As is evident from a vlogger's recent post on Instagram, where she made her grandmother taste the Japanese green tea. In the video, the elderly woman can be seen taking a sip from the matcha drink. A decision which she instantly regretted! The text over the reel reads, 'Making my grandmom try MATCHA,' followed by 'What did I just put in my mouth,' accompanied by the grandmom's irate reaction. Soon, her grandma can be seen rushing to the kitchen to change her taste by munching on some masala chips. 'Never trusting matcha girlies again,' the text over the reel reads. 'Matcha girlies, please accept my apologies. My grandmom is a total sport and cutie though,' Tanvi Pillai captioned the hilarious post. Check out the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tanvi Pillai (@ Here's how Instagram users reacted in the comments: 'Grandma disapproved of Matcha,' one said. 'Gotta protect her at all costs,' a second comment read. Another user was amused by "Her honest reaction." 'Matcha is not everyone's favourite,' said one person. Another stated, "Relate with Dadi." One noted, "Masala chips thrown on kitchen counter is the best." Matcha is a finely powdered green tea that has been specifically produced and processed, mostly from Japan. It stands out for its vivid green colour and distinct, rather bitter, vegetable flavour. Matcha is often consumed by dissolving the powder in hot water or milk, which allows you to take in the benefits and the entire tea leaf.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Almost 100 million views: Pune grandmother's ‘Kajra Re' dance moves becomes a symbol of financial freedom. Fund manager awestruck
A fund manager's weekend was made special—not by market movement, but by a Pune grandmother's viral dance video. Sharing the clip online, Gurmeet Chadha, Managing Partner and CIO at Compcircle, called it a vision of how one should age—or rather, grow young. For him and many others, the elderly woman's confident moves weren't just dance steps—they were symbolic of joyful aging and a life well-prepared. Her spirited performance sparked a broader conversation on the value of living fully, possibly enabled by smart financial planning that allows freedom and fun in old age. The video, shared by the 3DT Dance Crew on Instagram, shows a charismatic elderly woman—affectionately known as Dadi—lighting up the dance floor with grace, energy, and rhythm to the Bollywood classic Kajra Re. Dressed in a saree and surrounded by younger dancers, she delivers every move with poise and precision. The video has neared the 100-million view mark since being shared last month, resonating with audiences worldwide. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 3𝔻𝕋 𝔻𝔸ℕℂ𝔼 ℂℝ𝔼𝕎 ( 𝐏𝐔𝐍𝐄) 🔹 (@3dt_dance_crew_pune) What makes the moment even more impactful is the wave of emotional and financial reflections it triggered online. Many viewers saw Dadi's performance not just as a feel-good moment, but as a powerful visual metaphor for what aging with dignity and financial independence can look like. Comments poured in from netizens who praised her vitality, speculating that she must have planned her retirement beautifully—emotionally and financially—to be this carefree and confident in her golden years. — connectgurmeet (@connectgurmeet) Some joked that grandmothers who invested in gold back in the '70s are now dancing their way through inflation. Others reflected on their own aging parents and grandparents, drawing inspiration to help their elders live more fulfilling lives. The overwhelming consensus was clear: Dadi had not just danced—she had inspired. Her moves also sparked nostalgic comparisons to legendary Indian dancers like Vyjayanthimala, who continues to dance well into her 90s. In a world often obsessed with youth and productivity, Dadi's viral performance has become an unlikely reminder of the beauty of aging well—with joy, movement, and possibly a well-structured retirement plan.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
An elderly woman grooves to 'Kajra Re' at the Mehendi ceremony, and the internet goes into frenzy over her moves
'Kajra Re' featuring Amitabh, Abhishek, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan from 'Bunty Aur Babli' has been the dance anthem for decades. From the unforgettable beats to the stunning choreography, the song has been deemed simply iconic. While the irresistible grooving is a human nature when one hears the song, age certainly cannot be a barrier to it. An elderly woman danced to 'Kajra Re' An Instagram video has been going viral, where an elderly woman has been vibing to the beats of Aishwarya Rai's song, 'Kajra Re.' The video has bagged views and likes in millions and around comments in thousands. In the mehendi ceremony, where people were applying hena on their hands as per the rituals, the now-famous Dadi, who donned a simple purple and white saree, started dancing. The other family members joined her as well, and she confidently and gracefully charmed all. The elderly woman has been getting a lot of praise for her unmatched expressions, dazzling energy, superior dance steps, and, well, celebrating the moment with a 'cool' attitude. After the netizens watched the performance, they couldn't get enough of her. The comment section claps for her Some of the users who commented applauded her by stating how well Dadi must've danced in her prime, the olden days, while others shared a lot of red hearts and were in awe. One user commented, 'Wahhhh ajjiiiiii, bohot achaa laga ye dekh kr, realy yaar age is just a number'. Another user commented, 'Wawwa super cute energy Dadi'. A third user admired the elderly woman by stating, 'Aajiiiiii raise the standard of mehandi sance…'. Another user wrote, 'Vibe hai bhai vibeeee'. 'Imagine dadi when she was 20 yrs old,' an Instagram user commented under the video, while another user added, 'Imagine dadiji in her prime'. 'Kajra Re' Released in 2025, sung by Alisha Chinai, Javed Ali, and Shankar Mahadevan, the song was written by Gulzar. Further, the composition of the track was done by Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonsa, and Shankar Mahadevan. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
