Geneva, Switzerland, August 9 (ANI): The official account of the United Nations in Geneva shared stunning visuals of five peacocks gifted by India that recently arrived at UN Geneva, featuring them as its “Photo of the Week.”
In a post on X, UN Geneva called the gesture “beautiful” and said, “#PhotoOfTheWeek: Five peacocks arrived at Ariana Park at UN Geneva, thanks to @IndiaUNGeneva: a beautiful gesture tied to India’s national bird, continuing a century-old tradition.”
The United Nations in Geneva has welcomed five young peacocks, a gift from India, to the grounds of the Palace of Nations, continuing a long-standing tradition at the site.
The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York described the gift as “another dimension of partnership” between India and the United Nations.
“Another dimension of partnership: gifts young peacocks to @UNGeneva. As the national bird, peacocks have a special place in the heart of every Indian,” the mission wrote on X.
Welcoming the gift, UN Geneva wrote, “Move over, panda diplomacy: five young peacocks have arrived at @UNGeneva, a gift from India continuing a tradition older than the UN itself. Meet the newest (and most dazzling) diplomats in Geneva.”
The introduction of four blue peacocks and one rare white male aims to replenish the grounds’ peafowl population, which had dwindled to a single surviving bird. The new arrivals are currently housed in a temporary, spacious aviary in Ariana Park to acclimate to their surroundings before being allowed to roam freely across the estate, according to UN News.
Reflecting on the event, UN Geneva Director-General Tatiana Valovaya said, “We are very happy to welcome five new peacocks, four blue, one white in typical United Nations colors: blue and white. And we have created a temporary house for them. They will stay here for the next three months … and then they will be allowed to move freely and enjoy the hospitality of the Ariana Park.”
The donation continues a diplomatic tradition between the United Nations and India, following a 1981 gesture in which then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sent a breeding pair of peacocks to Geneva, according to UN News.
Addressing the gesture, Arindam Bagchi, ambassador and permanent representative of India to the United Nations, said, “This is really a privilege for the Indian mission here to be able to donate five peacocks, ‘Pavo cristatus,’ to UN Geneva. There is a tradition of having peacocks here. We donated in 1981 and are delighted to be able to continue this tradition.” (ANI)
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