Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin honours ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ director Kartiki Gonsalves with ₹1 crore

An official statement in Chennai said that the documentary attracted worldwide attention to the Tamil Nadu government Forest Department’s work in protecting elephants.

ஊட்டியில் வளர்ந்து, நம் தமிழ்நாடு அரசின் யானைப் பாதுகாப்பு முயற்சிகளை #AcademyAwards வரை கொண்டுசென்ற #TheElephantWhisperers இயக்குநர் @earthspectrum அவர்களைப் பாராட்டி ஊக்கத்தொகையாக ரூ.1 கோடி வழங்கினேன்.

முகம்தெரியாத பலரின் உழைப்பைத் தம் படைப்பால் உலகறியச் செய்ததற்குப் பாராட்டு! pic.twitter.com/LNZZP0Jjns

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 21, 2023

Related: ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ wins in the Best Documentary Short category

Documentary depicts Bomman, Belliee

The documentary depicted the care and love showered by caretakers, Bellie and her husband Bomman, in rearing abandoned baby elephants at the government-run Theppakkadu Elephant Camp in the Nilgiris District.

The short film was on two elephant calves, ‘Raghu’ and ‘Ammu.’

“By winning the Oscar Award, the documentary has made Tamil Nadu proud. For bringing laurels by making known the commendable work in nurturing elephants, the incentive was given,” the government said.

Forest Minister Maru Ma Mathiventhan, Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu and top officials took part.

Tamil documentary The Elephant Whisperers created history at the 95th Academy Awards by becoming the maiden Indian production to win in the Documentary Short Subject category.

On 15 March, 2023, Stalin felicitated Bomman and Bellie, who were featured in the documentary and presented them cheques of ₹1 lakh each, a shield and a shawl to honour them.

Related: TN CM MK Stalin felicitates Bomman, Bellie 

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