Nabha and Nova tie the knot at Ctg Zoo
Publication Date:22 September, 2016
Media: The Independent
Original URL : Nabha and Nova tie the knot at Ctg Zoo
E-paper URL: Nabha and Nova tie the knot at Ctg Zoo
The Chittagong Zoo wore a festive look yesterday as it was decorated with colorful balloons, festoons and banners. The occasion: The wedding ceremony of Nabha alias Badsha (lion) and Nova (lioness).
The bridegroom came from Rangpur, while the bride was from Chittagong.
About 1,300 guests, including Chittagong deputy commissioner DC Mesbah Uddin and around 100 journalists, were present.
Hectic preparation started very early in the morning to receive the groom’s guests. Around 11am, the bridegroom came on the stage which was prepared for the occasion. With the groom’s arrival, the familiar atmosphere of the zoo suddenly turned different.
Eleven-year-old Nova was ready to tie the knot with Badsha. A special cake made of meat was cut to mark the occasion. The cake was made of 47kg of meat, including cow liver, lungs, heart, two whole chickens and other favourite items of the lion.
“I came here with my five-year-old son. I never saw such a wedding before. I am very excited. We are enjoying it thoroughly,” said Subhra Chowdhury, a visitor. “Such programme will attract more visitors to the zoo,” he added.
As per tradition, a wedding gate was prepared. Three women journalists Latifa Runa, Shamima Sheela and Shaheda Priya got Tk. 3001 as honour for holding the gate as part of tradition.
Mesbah Uddin released balloons to mark the wedding ceremony. His wife Israt Jahan, additional district commissioner Dr Anupam Shaha, additional district magistrate Mamunur Rashid, additional district commissioner (education) Habibur Rahman, GPH Ispat’s additional managing director Almas Shimul, poet Ovik Osman, Selina Sheli, founder member of Zoo Shahjan Chowdhury, assistant commissioner (land) Sitakunda Mohammad Ruhul Amin, deputy curator Manjur Morshed and veterinary surgeon Dr Shahadat Hossain Shuvo, among others. were present on the occasion.
Mesbah Uddin also cut a giant cake to start the ceremony. “The zoo is one of the main sources of recreation for residents of Chittagong. There were two lionesses at the zoo for a long time. We have exchanged one with Rangpur Zoo and brought in a lion,” he said.
“Now, lion breeding will take place here,” he added.
He also said two tigers would be brought in the zoo. “Some rare species will also be brought from Moulvibazar,” the DC added. “The wedding ceremony was completed amid huge excitement. The name of Badsha has been changed to Nabha, keeping in mind Nova which means sky. After 24 hours, they will be allowed to stay together,” said Mohammad Ruhul Amin, member secretary of the zoo.
On 16 June, 2005, Barsha and Nova were born. Soon after the birth of the two sisters, their mother Laxmi died and later their father Raj died in 2008. Since then, there was no lion at the zoo. As there was no male lion, Barsha and Nova remained virgins.
After getting information that there are two lions at Rangpur zoo, the authorities decided to exchange Barsha with Badsha.
Badsha, who is now about eight years old, was brought to Chittagong Zoo on August 28.
A huge crowd witnessed the programme. A total of 2,500 tickets were sold yesterday till filing of the report at 5pm.
