Varanasi Sunbeam Suncity School Hosts Asia’s First Empathy-Building Animatronic Elephant ‘Ellie’, Voiced by Actor Dia Mirza, Courtesy of PETA India

For Immediate Release:

06 November 2025

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Varanasi – On Thursday, Sunbeam Suncity School students experienced a unique visit from Ellie, a remarkably lifelike animatronic elephant. Voiced by actor Dia Mirza, Ellie is part of an empathy-building tour in Varanasi by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India. Ellie charmed the school’s students, mimicking the movements of a real elephant by blinking her eyes and flapping her ears. She narrated an age-appropriate story detailing her traumatic separation from her mother as a baby, the abuse she suffered in a circus, and her eventual rescue and joyful life at a sanctuary.

Photos and videos of Ellie from the launch event are available upon request.

‘Ellie’s visit was a truly enlightening experience for our students. They were enchanted by her lifelike presence and the important message she carries,’ stated Dr. Deepak Madhok, Chairperson, Sunbeam Group of Educational Institutions. ‘Thanks to Ellie and PETA India, students came to understand that elephants belong in the wild—not in captivity. This initiative has sparked meaningful conversations about kindness and respect for all living beings.’

Mrs. Bharti Madhok, Vice Chairperson of Sunbeam Group of Educational Institutions, added that ‘PETA India’s Ellie beautifully conveys that elephants are intelligent and emotional beings who deserve freedom and dignity. Her presence at our school has helped nurture empathy in our students and encouraged them to think deeply about the treatment of animals. We’re proud to support this compassionate and educational effort, and we thank PETA India for bringing Ellie to our school.’

‘Ellie, an animatronic elephant, helps children understand that animals experience pain, fear, joy, and love just like humans and that they deserve to live in peace,’ says PETA India Manager of Elementary Education Meenakshi Narang. PETA India encourages families to embrace animal-free activities that do not exploit elephants or other sentient beings. By understanding and respecting animals’ feelings, we can foster a gentler world for everyone.’

Captive elephants used for entertainment are separated from their families and natural habitats. They are chained and endure beatings and harsh training methods, and are controlled with ankuses—heavy batons tipped with sharp steel points—which instil fear and pain. Over time, many elephants exhibit abnormal behaviours due to loneliness and prolonged confinement, and from being deprived of adequate food, water, and veterinary care.

Since May 2023, Ellie has reached over 2,20,000 young learners across India at private, government, and international schools, sharing the message that elephants should not be used in circuses or for rides or other cruel events. She’ll now be visiting thousands of students at Sunbeam Bhagwanpur, Indiranagar, Crimson World School, Aryan International School, Delhi Public School, Sunbeam Lahartara, Little Millennium, Sunbeam Varuna, and Sunbeam Sarnath.

PETA India also runs a free humane education programme, Compassionate Citizen, designed to help school students aged 8 to 12 years better understand and appreciate animals. It has been used by over 2 lakh schools and reached approximately 9.3 crore children across India.

PETA India – whose motto reads in part, that ‘animals are not ours to use for entertainment’ – opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETAIndia.com or follow the group on *X, Facebook, or Instagram.

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