NEW DELHI: Celebrated internationally as a symbol of peace and compassion, Aloka, the “Peace Dog”, arrived in Delhi on Monday with an international delegation of Buddhist monks and peace advocates, meeting former Union minister Maneka Gandhi.The gathering at Gandhi’s Jor Bagh residence brought together Buddhist monks, peace walkers and animal welfare supporters who highlighted Aloka’s remarkable journey from a community dog born as a stray in Odisha to a globally recognised mascot of peace, coexistence and non-violence, a statement said.Members of the delegation said Aloka first appeared during one of their peace walks and chose to remain with the group. Over time, he accompanied them across long distances, difficult terrain and varying weather conditions, becoming both a companion and a guardian.They described him as a dog who would sense danger and alert walkers while maintaining a calm and gentle temperament, qualities that endeared him to people across countries and cultures.Speaking on the occasion, Gandhi, who is also an animal rights activist, said it was inspiring that an Indian street dog had come to represent peace and compassion around the world while many community dogs continued to face misunderstanding and hostility in India.”If people could see in every community dog even a fraction of what the world sees in Aloka, our attitudes would be very different. Aloka embodies the very best qualities of India’s street dogs: loyalty, courage, resilience, peace and unconditional love,” she said.According to the delegation, Aloka was born on the streets of Odisha and joined the peace walkers of his own accord, forging a bond based on trust rather than ownership. As the group travelled through different countries promoting peace and non-violence, the dog became an integral part of their journey and attracted attention from people drawn to his calm demeanour and unwavering loyalty.His story has since resonated with animal lovers and peace activists around the world. Through social media and public appearances alongside Buddhist monks, Aloka has emerged as an unlikely ambassador for compassion, helping spotlight both the potential of community animals and the values of coexistence and empathy.The visitors expressed hope that Aloka’s return to India would encourage greater empathy towards community animals and promote the idea that peaceful coexistence must extend beyond human society to all living beings.The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to promoting compassion, non-violence and humane treatment of animals, the statement said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in PlaceLight-Hearted Exchange Between Jaishankar And Finland FM Steals Spotlight | WatchGehlot Supports Opposition Unity Push As Congress Merger Debate Gains MomentumSC Refuses Relief For Congress’ Meenakshi Natarajan In Rajya Sabha Nomination DisputeBomb Threat On Delhi-Bound IndiGo Flight Turns Out To Be Hoax, 180 Passengers Deboarded At LucknowHooghly Row: Huge Cache Of Government Relief Material Recovered Near Ex-TMC MLA’s Residence123PhotostoriesPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of historyFIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo to Jude Bellingham – 5 players who dress better than most celebrities8 GI-tagged Bengali sweets that are a must-try123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPKakoli Ghosh DastidarSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result
NEW DELHI: Celebrated internationally as a symbol of peace and compassion, Aloka, the “Peace Dog”, arrived in Delhi on Monday with an international delegation of Buddhist monks and peace advocates, meeting former Union minister Maneka Gandhi.The gathering at Gandhi’s Jor Bagh residence brought together Buddhist monks, peace walkers and animal welfare supporters who highlighted Aloka’s remarkable journey from a community dog born as a stray in Odisha to a globally recognised mascot of peace, coexistence and non-violence, a statement said.Members of the delegation said Aloka first appeared during one of their peace walks and chose to remain with the group. Over time, he accompanied them across long distances, difficult terrain and varying weather conditions, becoming both a companion and a guardian.They described him as a dog who would sense danger and alert walkers while maintaining a calm and gentle temperament, qualities that endeared him to people across countries and cultures.Speaking on the occasion, Gandhi, who is also an animal rights activist, said it was inspiring that an Indian street dog had come to represent peace and compassion around the world while many community dogs continued to face misunderstanding and hostility in India.“If people could see in every community dog even a fraction of what the world sees in Aloka, our attitudes would be very different. Aloka embodies the very best qualities of India’s street dogs: loyalty, courage, resilience, peace and unconditional love,” she said.According to the delegation, Aloka was born on the streets of Odisha and joined the peace walkers of his own accord, forging a bond based on trust rather than ownership. As the group travelled through different countries promoting peace and non-violence, the dog became an integral part of their journey and attracted attention from people drawn to his calm demeanour and unwavering loyalty.His story has since resonated with animal lovers and peace activists around the world. Through social media and public appearances alongside Buddhist monks, Aloka has emerged as an unlikely ambassador for compassion, helping spotlight both the potential of community animals and the values of coexistence and empathy.The visitors expressed hope that Aloka’s return to India would encourage greater empathy towards community animals and promote the idea that peaceful coexistence must extend beyond human society to all living beings.The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to promoting compassion, non-violence and humane treatment of animals, the statement said.
