Bhubaneswar: ‘ASHA’ is the official mascot of the 73rd edition of the All-India Police Hockey Championship 2025 scheduled to begin at Kalinga Stadium in Odisha capital on Monday.
The mascot choice is inspired by the true story of an injured elephant calf, receiving care at Nandankanan Zoological Park after being rescued by the Forest Department from Keonjhar in 2023.
“Asha embodies resilience, compassion and Odisha’s commitment to wildlife conservation. A short video narrating her story has been made. Asha is more than just a mascot — she represents Odisha’s spirit of strength and sustainability. We hope Asha inspires every player and spectator throughout the championship,” DGP Y B Khurania said while unveiling the official mascot at a curtain raiser ceremony here on Sunday.
Here is her story
On November 8, 2023, forest guards spotted a herd of elephants during patrol in Keonjhar. Among them was a calf, limping painfully and struggling to keep up with the herd. The control room was alerted and a thermal drone was immediately deployed, which then located the calf with its front leg with a deep, life-threatening wound. However, treating the calf was difficult as it kept close to the herd. The forest team continued to track the herd through dense forest for 15 days, and finally, rescued the calf after several attempts. It was then rushed to Nandankanan for treatment and care. The intensive treatment continued for five months during which its foot splint was changed thrice and the wound was dressed regularly.
The calf, which was later named Asha (hope), has now recovered fully. “At the age of one and a half years, the playful young elephant is a testimony to the dedicated efforts of the Forest Department,” the video released by Odisha Police said.
