Boycott Elephant Festival in Assam, India

Every year, domestic elephants are brought in from the nook and corner of the state of Assam in India`s northeastern region and assembled at the Kaziranga National Park a world heritage site to take part in the Elephant festival.They have to walk miles at a stretch and most of them are forced to beg by stopping public vehicles on highways.Whilst in the festival the jumbos have to perform several tasks like a race where the mahout( elephant tamer) peirces the back of the elephat`s ear harder and harder to make it run fast.There is a football match which is played in a similar manner where the mahout again takes pride in forcing the animals to hit the ball by poking beneath the ear.None of the elephants derive any kind of pleasure or joy in playing such a sport.As long as the festival focuses in raising the issue of man-elephant conflicts and creating awareness, it is ok.But the Race, Football match, Show of strength etc, activities which involve the jombos in herculian tasks should be removed from the list of activities in this festival.Since this festival is attended by several distinguished people from all across the world.Lets all join hands in opposing this brutal practice to occur next year.