Geneva, Aug 9 (IANS) The United Nations in Geneva on Sunday shared pictures of the five peacocks gifted by India as they arrived at Ariana Park, calling it the”photo of the week”.
Sharing the pictures on X, the UN Geneva office said: “Photo Of The Week: India’s Five peacocks arrived the Ariana Park at UN Geneva, thanks to the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva: a beautiful gesture tied to India’s national bird, continuing a century-old tradition”.
On August 7, Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Arindam Bagchi, handed over the five peacocks in UN colours to United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) Director Tatiana Valovaya during a special ceremony.
Valovaya appreciated the Indian government for the gesture. Bagchi and Valovaya thanked the management of Bio Parc Geneva for its support in sourcing the peacocks and for caring for them during the initial period, when they will remain in enclosed habitats until they reach adulthood, according to the statement released by the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva.
Valovaya said: “We are very happy to welcome five new peacocks, four blue, one white, in typical United Nations colours: blue and white. And we have created a temporary house for them. They will stay here for the next three months…and then they will be allowed to move freely and enjoy the hospitality of the Ariana Park.”
The Permanent Mission of India in Geneva stated that the gifting of peacocks demonstrates India’s partnership with the United Nations and its commitment to multilateralism.
“A vibrant symbol of India’s commitment to multilateralism! Adding to UN in Geneva’s biodiversity, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Arindam Bagchi, on behalf of India, presented five Indian Peacocks (Pavo cristatus), the National Bird of India, in UN colours to DG Tatiana Valovaya. The symbolic gift celebrates India’s rich natural heritage, reflects its enduring partnership with the United Nations 🇺🇳 and its steadfast commitment to multilateralism,” it posted on X.
Peacocks have remained an integral part of Ariana Park, the home of the UNOG, for more than a century. This is the second time that India has donated peacocks to the UNOG. Previously, India presented a pair of peacocks to UNOG in 1981.
“The donation adds to the biodiversity of the United Nations Office at Geneva and reflects India’s rich natural heritage and deep cultural ethos. The Indian Peacock, a symbol of grace, beauty and resilience, represents India’s enduring commitment to the conservation of biodiversity and environmental stewardship. The gesture also underscores India’s longstanding partnership with the United Nations and reaffirms its steadfast commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation,” the Indian mission said in a statement.
–IANS
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