• UGI USER
  • Apr 13, 2024
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“TURTLE MASCOT ‘MOHAN BABU’ SYMBOLIZES CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE IN ELECTION.”

Why in the news?

“Turtle mascot ‘Mohan Babu’ adopted for Cooch Behar election to symbolise cultural significance and encourage voter turnout.”

Source:medium

About the Election Mascot:

  • Recognizing the turtle’s significance, the Election Commission adopted “Mohan Babu” as the poll mascot for Cooch Behar.
  • Despite consistently high voter turnout, the EC aims to leverage the turtle mascot to encourage voter participation.
  • Images of “Mohan Babu” adorn campaign materials, urging people to exercise their voting rights on April 19.
About Cultural Significance of the “Turtle mascot :

  • Baneswar village in north Bengal boasts a 17th-century Shiva temple, believed to be built by Koch dynasty king Pran Narayan.
  • Locals revere black softshell turtles as incarnations of the Hindu deity Vishnu, naming them “Mohan.”
  • The turtles, critically endangered per the IUCN, hold cultural and religious importance, with locals protesting to protect them.

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/long-reads/lok-sabha-race-turtle-revered-as-god-poll-mascot-bengal-cooch-behar-9267166/#:~:text=The%20EC%2C%20which%20had%20used,Local%20people%20revere%20the%20turtles.