Gentle Giant Omkar Wins Hearts with Iconic Salute

In the villages bordering Goa and Maharashtra, the most talked-about celebrity these days is not a movie star, but a majestic and kind-hearted elephant named Omkar. Just a few months ago, Omkar was in the news for causing damage to farmers' standing crops. However, the calm, curious, and gentle giant has now undergone a remarkable transformation, becoming a cynosure of all eyes for his unique trait of saluting people by raising his trunk.

Locals in the Madura, Parabwadi, and other areas of Maharashtra where Omkar is now seen have been amazed by his transition from a crop-raider to a lovable creature. "He gently responds to gestures by locals with a salute. None call him a crop raider anymore, or fear him," says Ritesh Naik from Torsem. Omkar's genuine affection for the villagers, especially the local children, has made him an absolute magnet for the community. "When kids return from school, their first stop isn't their home, but the fields where Omkar is wandering," shares Rek local Ravi Manerkar.