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Saturday, April 19, 2008

Mount Abu Vasundhara Raje Scindia

Vasundhara Raje Scindia is synonymous with Rajasthan she’s now an integral part of the princely state of Rajasthan; born into the royal family of the Scindia it’s befitting that she is the Chief Minister of this austere state of her forefathers’. Her sudden and unpredictable visit caught the authorities with their guard down. Abu overnight was given a tremendous facelift, potholes in the road disappeared, the surrounding areas were spick and span there was a flurry of activity all over, trees bases were whitewashed the roadside demarked with white and pink chunna enhancing the whole countryside.
The army had prepared the helipad at their base, she arrived just before the finals of the Maharao Sirohi Pole Match. Her motorcade to the Trevor pavilion was marked with pomp and show by her co-party workers the BJP. She did not waste any time, without much flair and ado she flagged off the polo match.
The crowning glory was her speech to the Abuites. In her speech, she dispelled all doubts that had given this place a graven look. The embargo on the sale and purchase of land in Mount Abu that had been placed by the Rajasthan Government was finally lifted, and the exclusion of the town of Mount Abu from under the sanctuary umbrella sent cheers of applauds throughout the audience its vibrations also reflected in the state of Gujarat, as many Gujarati’s own land in Abu. What cheered me most was her wonderful decision to see that the Nakki Lake was given immediate attention also her wise decisions declared in today’s राजस्थान पत्रिका.

I had previously aired my personal grievances on Nov 13, 2006, against the town of Abu falling under the authority of sanctuary laws. My personal reflections are reflected in my article for the Times of India and in my Google website. Click on the link to see the page.
http://ainsleyster.googlepages.com/mountingtrouble

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Mount Abu "Maharao Sirohi Polo Cup"


















Mayo College Polo Team Trounced by Umed Bhavan Palace Polo Team.
Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. They ruled it 'Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden'...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.

Today April 17, 2008, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje Scindia graced the Final of the "Maharao Sirohi Polo Cup” at the Trevor Oval. After the introduction to the teams she flagged off the game by tossing the ball amid the anxious players, by the time she walked back to the pavilion the game was well underway. The crowd cheered in unison as soon as they scored the first goal. The spectators were really supportive, they showed a keen interest in the game and applauded the dexterous horse riders. The game went smoothly and the young horsemen did not disappoint the audience.
The coveted trophy was lifted by the Umed Bhavan Palace polo team; they trounced their rival team, the Mayo College Team by six goals to three. Three Cheers to the Ajmer Boys Mayo team for their fine display and sportsmanship. I wish them luck in their next challenge polo-cup match.













































Mount Abu - "Paris in Abu"

Whose idea was it to put up the mini (I presume it’s the replica of the) Eiffel tower. What significant role does it play regarding Abu? The tower was built by Eiffel to celebrate the Centennial of the Revolution of 1789. France has always been the leading nation for revolution, new ideas the Renaissance of the western world. Yea it sure symbolizes France and is a huge tourist attraction there, but here?? Well I’m sure it would appease the French tourists visiting here or would it? Believe me they are real sticklers for perfection, I know I was there, open your mouth and speak to them in English in their own country they’ll ignore you like the plague. I’m sure the authorities could have come up with more innovative and brilliant ideas to represent this unique place of ours. Any way what can we Abuites say! The denoting party probably had a lot of spare material lying around and hence the birth and construction of the mini Eiffel tower came into effect. I’ve just taken a few snaps of the Paris that is being constructed on the main gateway to the Abu town. Will keep you posted as developments progress.
Today Abu is gearing up for the finals of the polo match being played on the Trevor’s Oval. The Two finalists playing today are the team from Umaid Bhavan palace and Mayo College boys. The closing ceremony will be graced by the chief minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Mount Abu Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo

Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo Mount Abu















Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo

Today, the team from Mayo College Ajmer played against the Abu team for the coveted Maharao Sirohi Polo Trophy. I watched the match till the time both teams had scored a goal Tourists and the public were all there to witness the match. The area around polo Grounds was humming with clusters of people from all walks of life. The periphery around the ground was crowded; throngs of tourists and residents were all over the place. They did not spare even trees and rooftops. The army band “The Sikh Regiment” with their special Bagpiper squad in their colourful attire was there to support the polo players.

My hats off to the organizing committee. They have done a superb job of pulling off this third anniversary for the revival of polo in Abu.

Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo
Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo

Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo
Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo


Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo
Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo




























Thursday, April 10, 2008

Mount Abu Sandstorm,Hailstones & freezing rain

Mount Abu  Sandstorm, Hailstones & freezing rain


The sandstorm caught all Abuites off guard; it originated from the West at around 2:30 p.m. It reminded me of the setting of some horror movie. The powerful wind and the flying debris of leaves and litter heralded in the sandstorm on Friday, the 4th of April. The sky took on an orange hue and one could see the colossal dust cloud approaching; within minutes, the place gradually darkened. It looked like the end of the world was near. I ran out with my camera and with my back to the sandstorm took a small video of the eastern horizon, as can be seen from the video, the light filtering in between the valley soon got gradually extinguished as the dust engulfed everything in its path.
At the peak of the storm it began to thunder, there was lightning and then the heavens opened up and showered the place with hailstones. This was followed by freezing rain and a drastic fall in the temperature. Abu does have its share of sandstorms once in a way but this was exceptional. I wonder if this is the harbinger of global warming.