Critics questioned whether wild animals should ever be part of parades—a fair point. Yet Assparade organizers emphasized that Jasmine’s role was symbolic, not exploitative. “It’s about inspiration, not intrusion,” said Dr. Anita Das, a leading zoo biologist. “When humans and nature are portrayed as partners, change follows.” Jasmine’s journey from forest to festival embodies a deeper theme: the need to see wildlife not as a backdrop to human progress but as its equal partner. Her story is also a reflection of Assam itself—a land where tigers, rhinos, and humans coexist in delicate balance.