This is the story of a tortoise named Adwaitya. We all know about the legendary tortoise of folk tales who defeated the hare and won the race. Well, Adwaitya was also a winner. Before he died in the year 2006 in Alipore Zoological Garden, Kolkata, he was perhaps the longest living animal in the world having lived for more than 250 years. People lovingly called him Adwaitya meaning the matchless or the unique (Hindi: Adviteeya i.e. unique or no second) as he was a living example of nature's mysteries. He is supposed to have been born in 1750; however, some say it was 1705. He feed on wheat bran, grams soaked in water, small pieces of carrots, sweet potatoes, beans, leafy vegetables, diced banana and rice mixed with powder gram.
The Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Geochelone gigantea) is a native of Aldabra atoll, part of the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean. The Aldabra atoll has been protected from human influence since late 19th Century and is home to a large number of giant tortoises. The size of the Aldabra Giant Tortoise can be up to 4 Ft. in length and the weight can be about 550 lbs. They are normally dark gray to black in color, have small pointed head covered with scales, a long neck, a highly domed carapace and thick bony scales on forelegs. Adwaitya became ill several months before his death after a crack developed around a wound on his chest, and ultimately succumbed on 22nd March, 2006. Department of Posts is proud to issue a set of two commemorative postage stamps on the Aldabra Giant Tortoise. The specially designed stamps are unique in the sense that they are hexagonal i.e. they have six sides.
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