World water day 22 March Mount Abu.

World Water Day 22 March 2019 Mount Abu.

Lower Khodra Dam

Lower Khodra Dam

Upper Khodra Dam

Upper Khodra Dam( Photos to this post Per kind favour Mohan from St. Mary's school and Charles Guide 

Navigating the Waters: Mount Abu’s Survival Battle on World Water Day 2019. 

Introduction:

Every year on March 22, World Water Day is a global reminder of the crucial need for water conservation. This day has special importance in the charming hill resort of Mount Abu, tucked in the Aravalli Range and Rajasthan’s sole hill station. The town is at a crossroads in its quest for sustainable water management, as it faces a recurrent water problem and the aftermath of a poor monsoon.

Water Problems at Mount Abu:

Mount Abu’s reliance on the monsoon for water supplies has long been a concern, and last year’s poor monsoon has further aggravated the situation. In response to worries about water scarcity, officials are considering harsh measures, such as closing schools during the hot summer months, to protect this valuable resource.

Roads and Sewerage Systems Reconstruction:

To make matters worse, 80% of Mount Abu’s roadways are now under development, to install sewage lines. This decision has prompted local outrage, with many questioning the decision to prioritise a sewage infrastructure above the much-anticipated “Salgaon Dam Project.” Residents are cynical of the continuing sewage project, calling it a “ghost project” in the face of an urgent need for a stable water supply.

The Salgaon Dam Project: A Glimmer of Hope

In contrast to the uncertainties surrounding the sewage project, the Salgaon Dam Project provides a ray of optimism for Mount Abu locals. The project offers a long-term water supply, which will be a lifeline for a community dealing with an erratic monsoon pattern. This project is of great significance, as it highlights Mount Abu's commitment to infrastructure development by creating new gardens around the picturesque Nakki Lake.

 Prioritising Critical Needs:

 The current situation in Mount Abu highlights the critical necessity to prioritise projects that address the town’s immediate water needs. As the municipality navigates this difficult moment, budget allocation choices should prioritize initiatives that assure a safe and sustainable water supply. The Salgaon Dam Project is a positive step forward, pointing out the town’s commitment to securing its future against the oncoming threat of water shortage.

 On World Water Day 2019, Mount Abu sits at the crossroads of progress and preservation. The continuing infrastructure upgrades and the promise represented by the Salgaon Dam Project testify to the town’s dedication to solving its water challenges. As the community faces obstacles, it serves as a reminder that long-term progress must be based on meeting the basic needs of its citizens. Only by collaboration and deliberate prioritisation can Mount Abu ensure a water-rich future despite Rajasthan’s parched landscapes.

Mount Abu — The Maharao Sirohi Polo Cup (April 17, 2008)

The Maharao Sirohi Polo Cup

Trevor’s Oval  Mount Abu

Chief guest, Vasundhara Raje, then Chief Minister of Rajasthan,

Both teams stand ready for the flag off.

Vasundhara Raje set the match in motion—tossing the ball into play

Mount Abu "Maharao Sirohi Polo Cup"

There is an old, mischievous tale from Scotland—that a game once christened “Gentlemen Only…Ladies Forbidden” gave birth to the word golf. Regardless of whether it’s true or a legend, it highlights that social class, heritage, and gradual evolution have consistently influenced sports. Polo, however, needs no such embellishment. It arrives with thunder—hooves striking earth, mallets slicing air, and history riding hard across open ground.

 On the crisp afternoon of April 17, 2008, the storied grounds of Trevor’s Oval in Mount Abu came alive once more. The final of the Maharao Sirohi Polo Cup drew an eager crowd, their anticipation humming beneath a clear sky. Presiding over the occasion was Vasundhara Raje, then Chief Minister of Rajasthan, whose presence lent the event both ceremony and stature.

 After the formal introductions, she stepped forward and set the match in motion—tossing the ball into play with a gesture both simple and symbolic. In that instant, the pageantry dissolved into pure sport. By the time she returned to the pavilion, the game had already found its rhythm: swift, sharp, and unrelenting.

 The crowd responded in kind. Each gallop drew a murmur, each strike a rising cheer. When the first goal happened, applause swept across the oval—spontaneous, united, and infectious. The junior riders, poised and fearless, displayed a mastery beyond their years. Horse and rider moved as one, cutting across the field with precision and grace.

 In the end, it was the formidable Umed Bhavan Palace Polo Team that claimed the coveted trophy, defeating the spirited Mayo College team six goals to three. Yet the scoreline tells only part of the story. The Mayo boys from Ajmer played with heart and discipline, earning both respect and admiration for their fair play.

 As the sun dipped and shadows lengthened across the ground, the echoes of the match lingered—hoofbeats, cheers, and the quiet pride of a game well played. In that fleeting evening light, Trevor’s Oval felt less like a field and more like a living relic of a bygone era, where tradition still breathes, and the spirit of polo endures.