Not everyone can keep calm when a wild elephant stares you in the face. But a bus driver in Tamil Nadu did just that. In a video going viral, an angry tusker is seen charging towards a bus in the Nilgiris. Seeing the agitated animal, the driver tried to reverse the vehicle but the elephant inched closer. Within seconds, the animal rammed its tusks into the windshield, cracking it. A few tense moments later, the driver leaves his seat, directing all the passengers to move towards the rear end of the bus. As they tried to stay calm, the elephant continued to hit the windshield repeatedly. Tamil Nadu Principal Secretary (Environment and Forests) Supriya Sahu shared the video, lauding the bus driver for maintaining his composure and not letting the matter escalate. “He helped passengers move back safely,” Sahu wrote, adding, “That's why they say a cool mind works wonders.” Huge respect for the driver of this Government bus in Nilgiris who kept his cool even under the terrifying hits on the bus from an agitated tusker.He helped passengers move back safely, in an incident today morning. Thats why they say a cool mind works wonders VC- by a friend pic.twitter.com/SGb3yqUWqK — Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) September 25, 2021 According to local reports, the incident happened on Saturday when the state transport bus from Kotagiri to Mettupalayam stopped to let the animal cross the hilly stretch. Luckily, the elephant walked away eventually without damaging the vehicle too much. Frm opposite angle.. Initially he presumed he can bypass tusker and carry on..jumbo got triggered..imho pic.twitter.com/6XcL6T1no0 — Dr.GB (@geebeeigwt) September 25, 2021 On social media, the video it ignited a serious conversation about human-animal conflict and the need for green corridors in the country. Lucky to escape unhurt.The driver has to be thanked for his quick thinking to stop the bus — DrRajanDeoraoWalawalkar (@RajanWalawalkar) September 26, 2021 Pretty scary. Well done by the driver — Ramkumar (@ramkumar_try) September 26, 2021 Respect wild life…always keep a safe distance — Top tweets (@FromAapians) September 25, 2021 Appreciate the presence of mind shown by the driver.. — Surender Mehra IFS (@surenmehra) September 26, 2021 Can hear people saying he'll not do anything, will go away, back out. all right things gives hope. Must have a cap on the vehicles that can cross per day based on the animal population crossing, mostly seasonal @ParveenKaswan — Ganesh R 🇮🇳 (@greatganesh) September 26, 2021 The Thirukkural in the bus perfectly suits to the presence mind shown by the driver ❤ — Sampath ram (@_SampathRam) September 26, 2021 Extraordinary brilliant helping passengers by using high presence of mind, what a talent !!! — Veera Raghav Pandian (@RaghavaPandian) September 26, 2021 A question to be raised. Are we doing proper in invading the places/ forests where animals live for which they are compelled to move towards cities in search of food. Need to let the animals live in their zone — Pravat Kumar Rout (@PravatRout1979) September 25, 2021 Really this is not a simple matter, the bus driver introduced "experience, intelligence and wisdom" together, I welcome and respect from the heart.🙏🙏🙏👍👍👌👌👌😊🙏🙏🙏 — Vijay garg (@agarwalvijaygwl) September 25, 2021 As I always say “#elephant is the lord of the Forest”. He is the real king. Nobody stand a chance against him pic.twitter.com/qLqYlgeCqF — krajiv68 (@krajiv681) September 25, 2021
