This Dussehra, ‘lucky’ blue bird goes missing

BIJNOR: Sighting a neelkanth — the Indian roller bird Lord Ram is said to have spotted as he embarked upon his journey to kill Ravana — is considered auspicious on Dussehra day.

While the blue bird made its appearance in WhatsApp wishes on Saturday, it has gone missing in wildlife-rich Bijnor.

The neelkanth, which is another name of Shiva, is revered by Hindus. In north India, there's a saying when people spot it: "Neelkanth tum neele rahiyo, dudh bhaat ka bhoj kariyo, hamri baat Ram se kahiyo (Neelkanth, you stay blue, feast on rice and milk and convey our wishes to Ram)." In southern states, where its density is 50 birds per sq km, the Indian roller is the state bird of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.

A few years ago, sighting a neelkanth was common in Bijor. Until last year, bird-catchers used to capture and take them door-to-door on Dussehra day to make some money. However, local residents say they haven't seen a bir