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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox character
| colour =#ccf
| name = Bholu the Elephant
| series = 
| image = [[File:Bholu Indian railways mascot.jpg|200px|Bholu]]
| creator = [[National Institute of Design]]
| species = Elephant
|lbl3 = Role
|data3 = Mascot of [[Indian Railways]]
|lbl4 = Unveiled on
|data4 = 16 April 2002
}}

'''Bholu the Elephant''' is the [[mascot]] of [[Indian Railways]], represented as a cartoon of an elephant holding a signal lamp with a green ring in one hand. It was initially designed for the Indian Railways' 150th anniversary commemoration events and was unveiled on 16 April 2002 in [[Bangalore]]. In 2003, Indian Railways decided to permanently retain Bholu as its official mascot.<ref name="Bholu the Railways mascot unveiled">{{cite news|title=Bholu the Railways mascot unveiled|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-04-16/bangalore/27136531_1_indian-railways-railway-station-bholu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403044522/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-04-16/bangalore/27136531_1_indian-railways-railway-station-bholu|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 April 2012|access-date=11 May 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=16 April 2002}}</ref> The Bholu [[secular icon|icon]] was placed on the back side of an Indian coin.<ref name="Commemorative currency NIC" />

== Background and Development ==
Railways were introduced in India on 16 April 1853, with a line from [[Bombay]] to [[Thane]]. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the event, Indian Railways planned a series of events in 2002–2003 which included the launching of a mascot. Bholu was designed by the [[National Institute of Design]] in consultation with the Indian [[Ministry of Railways]]<ref name="Coins to mark 150 years of Railways">{{cite news|title=Coins to mark 150 years of Indian Railways|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030714/nation.htm|access-date=11 May 2013|newspaper=[[Tribune India]] |date=13 July 2003}}</ref> and was unveiled on 16 April 2002 in Bangalore. On that day, Bholu flagged off the [[Karnataka Express]] at 6.25 pm from platform number 1 of the Bangalore city station.<ref name="Bholu the Railways mascot unveiled" /> According to the Indian Government ([[Railway Board (India)|Railway Board]])'s Manual for Public Relations Department (2007), Bholu was designated for official use effective 15 April 2002. Later, on 24 March 2003, they decided to retain Bholu as the official mascot of Indian Railways.<ref name="Manual for Public Relations Department (2007)">{{cite web|title=Manual for Public Relations Department (2007) |url= http://www.wr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1306911877549-PR-MANUAL.pdf |publisher= Government of India, Ministry of Railways ([[Railway Board (India)|Railway Board]]) |format=PDF |access-date=11 May 2013 |pages=30–31 }}</ref>

== Popularity ==
The mascot became very popular in India. When asked for their opinion on Bholu, Indian Railway officials said that Bholu is friendly and helpful.<ref name="Bholu the Railways mascot unveiled" /> An Indian Government official release in 2003 described Bholu as an "ethical, responsible, sincere and cheerful icon". The green light in his hand symbolizes movement, the intention to travel with safety and positivism.<ref name="Bholu to stay with Railways">{{cite news |title=Bholu to stay with Railways |url= http://www.hindu.com/2003/04/24/stories/2003042402951300.htm |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130629105306/http://www.hindu.com/2003/04/24/stories/2003042402951300.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 29 June 2013 |access-date=11 May 2013 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=24 April 2003}}</ref> In 2003 the Indian Government released a two-({{Indian Rupees}}) [[rupee]] coin which carried the impression of Bholu on its reverse side.<ref name="Commemorative currency NIC">{{cite web |title=Commemorative currency |url= http://pib.nic.in/archieve/lreleng/lyr2003/rsep2003/01092003/r0109200314.html |publisher= Indian Government |access-date=11 May 2013 |date=1 September 2003}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{cite web |url= http://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces5470.html |title=2 Rupees 150 Years of Indian Railways |first1=Joseph |last1=Kunnappally |access-date=11 May 2013}}

[[Category:Indian Railways]]
[[Category:Fictional elephants]]
[[Category:Elephants in India]]
[[Category:Indian mascots]]
[[Category:Animal mascots]]
[[Category:Cartoon mascots]]
[[Category:Male characters in advertising]]
[[Category:Transport culture of India]]
[[Category:Mascots introduced in 2003]]

Bholu (mascot) - Revision history

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