Balarama's forest rendezvous proves costly

mysore: balarama, the much-loved jumbo and the main attraction of the mysore dasara celebrations may not carry the 800 kg golden howdah on vijayadashmi day, officials of the forest department hinted. balarama sustained injuries when it strayed into the forest last month from the moorkal elephant camp __it's home place. balarama sustained injuries on its head, neck and in the ear region."the injuries may be due to fighting with the wild elephants in the forest or they are the injuries inflicted by the mahouts while bringing it back from the forest," sources said. though the officials discarded these injuries as `minor,' and are attending to them on a daily basis, the wounds have worried the officials who are now training bharat to carry the howdah. following the death of drona and arjuna, the onus of carrying the golden howdah fell on balarama three years ago. dr.chettiappa who is treating balarama said such injuries were common for elephants as they are frequently exposed to pointed bamboo shoots and other trees which have sharp branches. "there is no need to worry, but to avoid any risk or last moment tension, we are training bharat for the task of carrying the howdah," said chettiappa claiming that bharat is also best suited for the job. doctor said besides a hefty build up, bharat's back also is best suited for placing the howdah. "as things stand, it is balarama who will carry the howdah, but officials are yet to take a final decision on the matter," he added keeping the issue open. last year too balarama gave the officials some anxious moments when a wound on one of his legs refused to heal. balarama is also blind in one of the eyes.