PUSttKfiR PUSHKARFAIR. l:o=m "] Jat Oharams'1ala GOVT. OF DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM & CULTURE [D]. VA';,''. Q~ ~ I I

Transcription

1 Chapter V

2 PUSHKARFAR PUSttKfiR NAME OF MPORTANT GHATS 1. JAPURGHAT 16.YEGHGHAT 2. GURUGOVND 17.BRAHMAGHAT ' SNGHGHAT 18.KARNGHAT BANGLAGHAT 19.1NDRAGHAT GWALOR GHAT 20.CHOR PED GHAT CHANDRA GHAT 21. TANTUVAGHKES- SURYAGHAT VAGHAT 108 MATA DEN GHAT. 22.1<0TAH GHAT CATTL.E:S 10. NURSNGH GHA 1 1. BADAl GHAT 12.GANGORGHAT 13.CHEERGHAT 14.GAUGHAT 15.8HARATPURGHA Cll.l'iiE. SAND >UNE l:o=m "] Jat Oharams'1ala. / \"'""o.;:..--=--- /:)'.... ~('~.,_ '-, c:::o::j 1'.-tl ~''' Hotel' / V4f"'' ' 1 N [D]. VA';,''. Q~ ~ - fit.qj; '..._ 3, Hotel Peacock rg'',', // & CULTURE DEPARTMENT OF TOURSM GOVT. OF 0 Cafe Vatika Source: Pushkar Mela Smarika 2002 (Govt. Of Rajasthan) ~

3 MANDR, MARKET AND MASSES AN ANALYSS OF PUSHKAR MELA The most explicit exposition of its monetary hues- undercurrents pertaining to money transaction can be found embedded in the world fame "animal f(l.ir" of the Pushkar, which invariably starts on the Kartik Shukla Ekadashi coinciding with the first holy dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake. Unfailingly, since time immemorial, man has domesticated animals and has been exchanging them for their varied uses- for their products like milk, wool, leather etc., for the purpose of transportation, means for farming and so on and so forth. While earlier, the exchange was based either On barter system where the exchange was a trade in commodities (or may be one animal for another), without the use of money, or on "Balanced Reciprocity" which involved either an immediate exchange of goods or services or an agreed upon exchange over a limited period oftime. Today the b~er system is a rarity. An apparent indicator is the age old Pushkar fair, where owing to the overpowering and overgrowing presence of money and the administrative procedures to be followed in the sale and purchase of animals of any kind, barter exchange are a solitary affair. The state has a imposing presence in forms of its Mela Magistrates (las) rank, officials of animal husbandry department, tehsildars and patwaris etc. during the mela. An examination ofrajasthan's past reveals that the state has always been a site for animal fair, and till date, through out the year many animal fairs are held across its length and breadth. The approximate duration of these fairs are from ten to fifteen days. The major animal and cattle fairs, which are supported by Rajasthan governmept are as follows

4 State Cattle Fairs Of Rajasthan Year S. No. Name of the Cattle Fairs Tehasil Place with period '(Vikram Year Date) 1 Sri. Ramdeo Cattle Fair, Nagour Magh Shukla 01 to to Nagour Magh Shukla Sri. Shivratri Cattle Fairs, Karauli Phalgun Krishna 7 to to Karauli Phalgun Krishna Sri. Mallinath Cattle Fair, Panchpadra Chaitra Krishna 11 to to Tilwara (Barmer) Chaitra Shukla Sr. Baldeo Cattle Fair, Mertacity Chaitra Shukla 1 to to Merta city (Nagour) Sri. Gomatisagar Cattle Fair, Jhalrapatan Baisakh Shukla 13 to to Jhalrapatan <Jhalawar) Jaisth Krishna Sri. Gogameri Cattle Fair, Nohar Shavan Shukla 15 to to Gogameri (Hanumangarh) Bhadva Shukla Sri. Tejaji Cattle Fair, Parbatsar Shavan Shukla 15 to to Parbatsar (Nagour) Bhadva Krishna Sri. Jaswant Exhibition Cattle Bharatpur Aswani Shukla 5 to to Fair, Bharatpur Sri. Pushkar Cattle Fair, Pushkar Kartik Shukla 08 to to Pushkar <Aimer) Mangsir Krishna Sri. Chandra Bhaga Cattle Jhalrapatan Kartik Shukla 11 to to Fair, Jhalarapatan (Jhalawar) Mangsir Krishna

5 Calendar of Events' - Fairs & Festivals Fair & Festival Place Vik. Sam Camel Festival Bikaner Paush Jan. 6-7 Jan Jan Jan. Shukla Alwar Festival Alwar 7-9 Feb Feb Feb Feb. Nagaur Fair Ramdeoji Nagaur Magh-S 8-11 Feb Jan Feb. 4-7 Feb. Cattle Fair (7-10) Desert Festival Jaisalmer Magh-S Feb. 4-6 Feb Feb Feb. (13-15) Baneshwar Fair Baneshwar Magh-S 12~16 Feb. 1-5 Feb Feb Feb. (Dungarpur) (11-15) Elephant Festival Jaipur Phalgun 17 March 6 March 25 March 14 March S-15 Brij Festival Bharatpur Phalg-S March March 2-4 March March March (11-13) Shitala Festival Chaksu (Jaipur) Chaitra 4 April 24 March 13 March 1 April 23 March K-8 Gangaur Festival Jaipur Chaitra April 4-5 April March April 1-2 April S-(3-4) Mewar Festival Udaipur Chaitra April 4-5 April March 11-12April 1-2 April S-(3-4) Keladevi Festival Karauli Chaitra March 18 March 6 April 26 March (S.Madhopur) K-(12) Mahaveerji Festival Mahaveerji Chaitra April April 30 March April 7-13 April S-(9-15) 5 April Summer Festival Mt. Abu Fixed Date May May 2-4 May April May Teej Festival Jaipur Shavan Aug. 1-2 Aug Aug. 8-9 Aug July S-(3-4) Kajli Teej Bundi Bhadra Aug Aug. 31 Aug Aug Aug. K-(2-3) 1 Sept. Ramdeora Fair Pokaran Bhadra Sept. 4-5 Sept Sept Sept. 2-3 Sept. (Jaisalmer) S-(9-1 0) Marwar Fastival Jodhpur Ashwin Oct. 8-9 Oct Oct Oct. 6-7 Oct. S-(14-15) Dussehra Festival Kota Ashwin Ovt. 3-5 Oct Oct Oct. 30 Sept. - S-(8-10) 2 Oct. Pushkar Fair Pushkar (Ajmer) Kartik Nov. 31 Oct Nov Nov. 29 Oct.- S-(7-15) 8 Nov 5 Nov. Chandrabhaga Fair Jhalawar Kartik-S Nov. 7-9 Nov Nov Nov. 4-6 Nov. Magh-K-1 Kolayat Fair Kolayat Kartik-S Nov Nov. 22 Nov Nov Nov. (Bikaner) Magh-K-5 1 Dec.

6 Among all the ten state supported (Rajasthan Government supported), ie. an active involvement of Zila Parishad, Gram Panchayat, Municipal Corporation, Revenue Department and Animal Husbandry Department in the organization of the mela; it is the Pushkar Fair which attracts the largest number of buyer and seller of the innumerable breeds of buffaloes, cattle, camel and horses and other animals. The local populace from nearby villages of all castes are in one way or the other directly involved with the mela in various capacities. The mela attracts, artisans and handicrafts from Kashmir to Gujrat. Each district of Rajasthan in form of co-operative endeavour (S<ilikari Sangthan) has something to showcase at the mela grounds. Either as buyer or seller, themselves or as providing a support system to the buyers and sellers coming from nearby districts of Rajasthan, or those who come from such far flung areas as Gujrat (form Western ndia), Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (from Northern ndia) and Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh from Central ndia, the participation is all encompassing. According to the local lore, the animal fair has been held since time immemorial and invariably starts on Kartik Ekadashi year after year, coinciding with the holy dip undertaken by pilgrims. nitially the fair was also known as "Horses fair", but since last twenty years (as per the local information, Pushkar w~s initially a hunting ground, for the most rarest of rare and finest horses, among horse lovers) the selling and buying of horses has been on decline, and it is the good breeds of cattle, buffaloes and camels that attract the largest transaction. For many old people, as evident from their nostalgic reminiscenes, it was the advent of mass transport system especially the buses run by Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation, to every nook and comer of Rajasthan, that saw a decline in demand for the horses. The cheap availability of two wheeler, primarily 3 1 3

7 'Luna' (a small sturdy two wheeler) and 'Rajdoot motorcycles' and 'Bullet' among the,, more efficient farmers, further did away the need for horses as a means of transport. n the interface between technology and tradition, change was inevitable. Horses now cater, primarily to tourist demands and are used in tonga for ferrying along with camelcart and bullockcart, tourist across vast stretches of sand dune spread in and around Pushkar. n addition to this horse is used to ferry the bridegroom over short distance, during marriage season. A survey of the animal fair reveals that the actual trading takes place in the following breeds of animals. (A) CATTLE BREEDS (ndigenous Cattle Breeds of Rajasthan) 1. Gir :- Tl~e native tracts of this breeds are the Gir hills and forests in the south of the Kathiawar peninsula (Gujrat) on the west coast of ndia. n an impure form Gir cattle can be seen over a wide area of western Rajasthan, northern part of Maharashtra and over a wide area including North Gujrat to Kutch. Outside ndia, this breed has got an excellent reputation as beef animals and large numbers of them have been exported to Brazil from where they have been introduced to some other Latin American countries. The Gir bullocks are heavy and powerful drought animals and work at low speed. The cows have good yield capacity and the milk yield in a well maintained herd is 1590 Kgs. in 300 days. The average of first calving is 51 months and subsequent calving occurs at 14 to 16 months intervals. Gir bulls have been extensively used in Western ndia for grading the importance of local cattles. Gir has contributed to the development of other breed like Mewati, Deoni and Nimari. ': 314

8 2. Nagauri :-This breed is famous for its walking speed (it almost trotts). They are primarily used for the purpose of transportation and thus famous as draft animals. The bullocks are mainly priced for their fast road work. They are primarily prevalent in the district of Jodhpur in Rajasthan and are native to some cirea of Ajmer district like Narwar, Babaicha, Karkeri villages. The breed is supposed to have evolved from Haryana _and Kankej breed. n the Barmer district of Rajasthan there are good specimens of milk cows ofthis breed with yield as high as 900 Kgs. per lactation. The body measurement ofnagauri male and female cattle are 408 and 340 Kgs. body weight, 1.5 mts and 2.0 mts and 1.9 mts girth respectively. 3., Ratlri :-These are medium sized powerful cattle found in various parts of Rajasthan. The body of the animals is well built, and thus is used for carrying loads. The face is straight, forehead flat, eyes white and large, ears short and pendulous, horns are small and emerge laterally, hump is moderately developed, whereas 1 fore limbs and quarters are well developed and the tail is short. The animal are white with dark grey marking on head. The body measurement ofrathi cattle- male and female is Kg., Kg. body weight, 1.5 mts. body length and 2.0 mts and 1.5 mts girth, respectively. 4. Tharparkar (Tirari) :- This breed is a native of Tharparkar district of Hyderabad (Pakistan). Cattle are now distributed in their purest form in the vicinity of Amarkot, Nauket etc. The area extends upto Kutch district of Western hdia; Marwar in east and Palampur area to the north of Bombay. The body coat colour varies from white 315

9 to grey. This is a medium sized and a compact breed. The males are also good draft animal with average body weight of Kg. ; height 1.3 mts. ; body length 1.4 mts, and girth 1.5 mts. with average milk yield ranging from 1800 to 2600 kg. per lactation. However on well maintained farm, maximum yield range upto 4763 kg. has been recorded. 5. Kankrej :-The breed originated in the South East ofrann of Kutch in Gujrat and today is spread over in the area encompassing from the south west comer of the Tharparkar district in Pakistan to Ahmedabad in Gujrat. This breed is generally silver grey to iron grey or steel black in appearance. These animals are agile and are considered powerful draft cattle. This breed is exported widely and in Brazil is known as 'Guzerat'. Cows are average milk givers and the yield is Rs Kg. per lactation with average body weight, height, body length and girth is kg., 1.3 mts., 1.4mts. and 1.8 mts respectively. While the Kankrej male weights around Kg. with a height of 1.6 mts., body length 1.6 mts. and girth 2.0 mts. (B) BUFFALO BREED:- Murrah :-Murrah is the main buffalo breed which is available in the fair. The breeding tract of this important buffalo breed is in and around Rohtak, Hissar and Jind district ofharyana; Nabha and Patiala district of Punjab. The animals have jet black body colour with white markings on tail, face and extremities. The important characteristics of this breed are massive body, neck and head. Horns are comparatively shorts and tightly curved. Hind quarters are drooping and under 316,,

10 well developed. The average milk per lactation (of 305 days) is about Kg.. Murrah male weights 567 kg. approximately with body measurement of 1.5 mts., 1.5 mts and 2.3 mts of height, body length and girth respectively. The female is having 431 Kg. body weight with 1.4 mts. 1.4 mts. and 2.2 mts. height, length and girth respectively. (C) BREEDS OF CAMELS :- Bikaneri :-This breed of camel is bred in an area of about 160 km. around Bikaner city. t is a multipurpose camel but as it advances in age it beco'mes heavy and slow. They have a symmetrical body and a slightly dome shaped head. The forehead has well marked depression above the eyes. Some animals have a luxuriant growth of black hairs on their eyebrows, eyelids and ears, they are known as "Jheepras". The head is of medium sized and heavy looking with well marked "Stop" - a hokro above the eyes causing the nose to tilt upwards with the forehead. THE PUSHKAR CATTLE FAR The other animals in which trading is involved, though at a miniscule level when compared with the trading involved in cattles and camels, is the ubiquitous donkey which is used as a pack animal and the omnipresent goat which is used as milch animal. t is the ubiquity of these animals, that makes them an inseparable part of the ndian rural scenario. The above information and description, it needs to be admitted, is based on the popular notion as shared by buyers and sellers themselves, the "floating buyers" who bargain for every "anna" and "paisa" that is possible, but seldom buy, the "serious buyer", 317

11 who is an old hand at ascertaining the weakness and strengths of a particular breed, and has already set up his mind, on a particular breed or an animal, the "seasonal buyer" who. ~ would weighs his 'pros' and 'cons' (many a times, they are on a shoestring budget) very carefully, before going for a buy, and onlookers who are innumerable in numbers as well as in their opinions, and officials of Animal Husbandry department, who with their bureaucratic air, are waiting for the mela to be over, and the 'official' brochure, full of grammatical and spelling mistakes. The importance ofpushkar Mela can be gauged from the fact that the administrative overtune is overzealous and overwhelming, its involvement is complete in the sense that it overlooks each and every detail pertaining to the animal fair. The following description is an ethnographic account, of the "objective" impression that gathered during my field work from the me las of 1998, 1999, 2000, The facts,, have been gathered and verified from the newspaper reportings (especially Dainik Bhaskar, a local daily published from Ajmer), casual conversations carried on with innumerable visitors, and unstructured interviews conducted on and off during the mela period with government officials of various departments and mela officers, over a period of five years, slowly and steadily the following impression was gleaned off, which would be the basis for many generalizations. There is no denying of the fact, that it is only because of the assiduous efforts, put in by the Animal Husbandry Department Programmes and plans (Y ojanas ), that the animal owners have in particular, and the rural populace in general, have for sure benefitted. The ' major ten animals fairs held across the state have an engaging presence of the administrative set up in the form of 'Nagar Palika', 'Nagar Parishad', 'Tehsil', 'Panchayat' and 'Gram Panchayat'. The major aim that is apparent, voiceferous and forthcoming across the various 3 1 8

12 SHOPS N REVENUE LAND OF PUSHKAR TEHSL DURNG MELA ~++H 8 HwH ! t ' :40A ' ' ' ' 68 ' 52A ' r L, r---65 ~----~ )) \ \ ' ' ' ' ' ' /// ' ' ' ' r ,_ ---- ' / ' -- ' ' ' ' ----,,_

13 View of the Animal Fair

14 governmental agencies is to get the animal owners a correct and justified price for their animals. Though it should be pointed out that gerrymandering does exist in view of the subtle political overtones, involved, in form of participation of members from many erstwhile "royal" families, the pre-eminent players in the local religion political set up, and those from the upper echelon of the two major dominant party-the Congress and the BJP (Bhartiya Janta Party). All vying for a bigger share in the pie, and in the process asserting their clout and consolidating their presence. As per the official brochure 'Pushkar Mela Smarika, November to 20 November', the various state level animal fairs garner an income from Rs crore for the animal owners, and an income as a revenue to the state government from Rs lakh per year. Tb.e animal fair has many other roles to play too. Apart from being a site for animal transaction, it is a site for rural education development. The various exhibitions put on by government departments, showcase the latest technical know- how for the rural populace. The animal owners and farmers are seen thrdnging to these stalls. ; The government also organises various competitions, involving different breeds of animals. These competitions attract a big cheering crowd, and are keenly contested. Apart from generating a sense of fun and frolic, essentially these competitions are meant to showcase the correct way and means for the upkeep of the animals, and to encourage the audience (the animal owners), to adopt them. The basic aims of organizing the animal fair are as followings : (a) To facilitate, the process of buying and selling of animals, and in the process establishing a marketing infrastructure for the same. (b) To attract the animal owner's attention towards ways and mea'hs to further enhance 319

15 Pushkar Mela Area Source: Pushkar Mela Smarika 2002 (Govt. Of Rajasthan)

16 Animal Water Arrangement,, fiil--j Source: P1_1<:hkar Mela Smarika 2002 (Govt. Of Rajasthan)

17 the quality and thus value of thier livestock. (c) To make animal rearing, especially for the youth, an attractive business proposition, by advertising the latest plans offered by various governmental agencies. (d) To organise and encourage at governmental and non-governmental level, exhibitions pertaining to latest scientific knowhow, so that those engaged in animal rearing and other allied areas can benefit from them. (e) To hold competitions for animals, so as to encourage the animal rearers to improve their breed and the yield. The general support provided by Animal Husbandry Department and other Government Department to the animal rearers during the animal fair time at Pushkar is along the following lines:- (a) During the animal fair, the various departments ensures adequate amount of water, light and mepical care for the animal rearers and their animals. (b) At administrative level, to establish temporary police post to maintain law, order and security for the animal rearers and other. (c) To organize with the help of various regional artistes, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Regional Advertising Corporation and Rajasthan Tourist Development Corporation (R TDC), entertaining and educative cultural programmes for the visitors and the general rearers, visiting the mela. Moreover, keeping in mind, the educational needs for animal rearers, attractive exhibitions and film shows too are organized. (d) A special cell is established during the mela time, to look into the specific problems of animal rearers and suggest them ways and means to solve them. 320

18 (e) To make available during the mela time, adequate amount of food and other items, 'fair price' shops are opened. (f) To carry to and fro the animals, owners and their livestock from their place of destination to mela ground and back, additional services of buses, trucks and train wagons are arranged. (g) During the fair, the post and telegraph department, too makes its services available for the people visiting the mela. The other adiminstrative matters which are important to animal rearers are: (a) Before entering the mela ground, the animal owner should get from the various established booths 'Chowki' of animal husbandry department 'Lal Chitti' (red letter). (This lal chitti registers, the legitimate presence of the animal and its owner in the mela ground. (b) After buying any animal, a 'safed chitti' (white letter), must be requistioned by the buyer. The safed chitti has various details like seller's name, seller's address and the selling price of the animal. This is an imperative procedure to be followed by one and all. (c) The animal owners to take their newly procured animals from the mela grounds to any other place, must on the basis of the 'white chitti' get their 'rawanna' cut. (The rawanna is in a way like a bus ticket, or a railway ticket which allows the animal and its owners to exit from the mela ground.) The rawanna rate for year 2002 for various state level animal fair per animal animal was like this: 321

19 Ox Rs per animal Buffalo Rs per animal Ass Donkey Rs per animal Rs per animal,, Sheep Goat Rs per animal Camel Rs per. animal Horse Rs per animal Apart from these rates, the animals who are taken to be outside the state of Rajasthan, are also required to pay sales tax to the commerce department of Rajasthan, and the arrangement for collecting these are done at the mela ground itself. (d) Those who would not get their 'rawanila cut' alongwith the 'white chitti and if the same is found out by the flying squad while attempting to leave the mela premises; would be liable for punishment. (e) t is important to ascertain that the 'rawanna' issued by the department has full information regarding the transaction that has occured for a particular breed of animal, only after doing so, the animal should be taken outside the fair ground. (f) t is also desired, that the various animals before leaving the mela ground should be immunized against Galghotu, Fadsujan, Khurpaka, Muhpaka and for Camels Sarra. (g) t is also the responsibility of a seller or a buyer to seek out if any, new directives issued by the government, from the government officials deputed at the mela. t should be pointed out, that above procedure is to be strictly followed and very,, few animal buyer or sellers were perturbed on this account and felt the procedure to be necessary. 322

20 Prior to 1970 the arrangements of the meal where overseen by Gram Panchayat and then for some time, Panchayat Samiti, Pisanganj. t was the year 1970 and onward that the responsibility for organising the ever growing mela fell on the Animal Husbandry department. The state government to facilitate and overlook the daily operation of the mela, set up a "Pushkar Pashu Mela Salahakar Samiti" (Pushkar Animal Fair Advisory Committee) under the chairmanship of District Collector. A sample study would be given for the year 2002, firstly because it happened to be my last mel a, for the research purpose, and secondly after the 'Akshardham temple terrosit strike', Pushkar was the next major target, and in this context, detailed examination of the administrative set up became more necessary. The Advisory Committee underithe chairmanship ofshri Niranjan Arya (. A. S.) met on and formed 9 sub-committees, and vested them with various responsibilities. t is these nine sub-committee which overlooks the day to day happenings of the Pushkar mela. To oversee the smooth functioning of the mela and to maintain law and order situation, the following officers were deputed for a period from to ie. for the mela duration. 1. Smt. Mugdha Sinha Sub Divisional Magistrate, Ajmer (.A.S.) Mela Magistrate, Pushkar 2. Shri K. K. Pathak Additional Collector, Ajmer (.A.S. Probationer) Additonal Mela Magistrate, Pushkar 3. Dr. S. K. Srivastava Deputy Director Animal Husbandry Department Ajmer and Mela Officer, Pushkar. The nine sub-committees which are formed, are essentially meant to overlook the 323

21 mela arrangements, more so, in the context of basic amenities being made available to pilgrims foreigners animal rearers. These committees are : 1. Co-ordination (Samnvay) Committee (which overlook the functioning of other subcommittees). 2. Water, Electricity and Telephone Vyavastha Upsamiti (Arrrangement subcommittee), this sub-committee in a way ensures that the most basic and necessary requirements for pilgrims foreigners are met. 3. Vikas Pradarshini Upsamiti (Development Exhibition sub-committee)- basically oversees the arrangement of various exhibitions pertaining,, to the development schemes or envisaged by and under various government schemes. 4. Swasthya and Swachch<lta Upsamiti (Health and Hygiene sub-committee) This subcommittee essential1y ensures that no epidemic of any kind break among the population in the mela area, and sees to it that amount of waste generated every day is disposed off in an unobstrusive manner. 5. Rasad Upsamiti (Edible Goods sub-committee) sees that adequate arrangement for foodgrains, vegetables and kerosine oil for visitors are available at economical rates. 6. Law and transportation sub committee oversees the variol.lli aspects concerned within its jurisdiction. 7. Cultural Programmes and Sports Competition sub-committee which oversees the various cultural activities and sports competition to held organised during the Pushkar fair. 8. Finance and Tax Collection Department it ensure that the state gets it due share in 324

22 the form of tax and keeps a vigil on the money transations occuring at various levels. ' 9. naugration and Closing Ceremony sub-committee oversees the arrangement and scheduling ofthe inaugral function and the closing ceremony. Both these functions are a brureaucratic jamboree, and it's a gathering of who's and who's of Rajasthan. n addition, to the following subcommittee the various government department engaged in the smooth functioning of the mela are following: 1. A11imal Husha11dry Departme11t: the department arranges for tent accomodation for the animal owners. Medical care for animals is available 24 hours. Apart from the animal dispensary run at Pushkar, on mela grounds two other medical units are. ' set up so as to avail immediate medical facilities in case of an emergency or otherwise. The department also overlooks the barricading of mela grounds, during prize distbribution ceremony to control the 1 crowd. The Mela Magistrate Camp, Police Control Room and Animal Fair Officer office have temporary communication lines (phone lines) established. 2. P.H.E.D. :To make the availability of drinking water in the mela area and the municipal limits ofpushkar. To cross check the water connections and the network of pipeline distribution from , to supply water to the tanks from where '. the animals drink water. The tanks for retaining the drinking potable water has undergone the process of chlorination by

23 3. Electricity Arrangement: There is a complete arrangement to meet the electricity requirement in the municipal limit as well as in the mela area. To meet emergency situation, a 63 kilowatt generator is kept ready. 4. Public Construction Department: To make drinking water available for the animals, 36 tanks have been made functional. The tanks which were completely damaged has been repaired by The construction and repair works ofthe roads like Pushkar - byepass, Pushkar Parikrama marg and the Ghat area have been completed by The roads have been levelled near the temporary bus stand and administrative camp. 5. Ration Department: To meet the ration demand of the mela, the government has opened up 15 fair price shops for animals rearers and people visiting the animal fair. The fair price shop from would sell kerosine oil. 6. Dairy : The dairy overlooks the arrangement of fodder for animals. Ajmer dairy has opened up 14 milk booths, selling its milk and milk products. 7. Nagar Palika, Pusflkar: All along the fifty-two ghats and the area limit of animal fair, there are 118 points where public address system has been installed. These points serve as a juncture for information dissemination. Food packets are being procured and distributed under their supervision. Three temporary parking spot for private vehicles have been identified. During mela time, along the ghats, there 326

24 are divers to meet any emergency situation. There are 150 people engaged in cleaning work. 8. Roadways: To make Pushkar easily accessible for pilgrims, and foreigners, one hundred and fifty extra buses ply on the Chaturdashi and Purnima days. No permit is given to private operators in view of the rash and negligent driving undertaken by them in the past. There is also a mobile unit in operation overseeing and ensuring. The smooth flow of the traffic. On both sides ofnag hillock, i.e., at Ajmer side and on Pushkar, one crane each is ready, in case of a traffic jam, due to vehicular breakdown. From the traffic would be one way traffic, the exit and the entry route will not run into each other. 9. Health Department : Apart from regular medical facilities available of Pushkar, six other centers have been opened along with a mobile unit which would be open for twenty four hours a day, moreover, four dispensaries by Ayurveda department too has been opened up, all these facilities will be available round the clock. 10. Movement restriction :For those walking on foot (pedestrian traffic, especially along parikrama route) in Pushkar, on the day of and from twelve noon from to midnight of20/ , the movement will be only along one direction. 11. Facilities and Comforts for Foreigners by Tourist Department: To make available all possible facilities needed by foreigners in Tourist Village. To arrange for these 327

25 foreigners and showcase the best of ndian art and culture, following places are earmarked to provide information and tourist brochure to the tourists : a. Tourist Welcome Centre, Hotel Khadim, Ajmer. (Morning 8:00am to Evening 6:00pm) b. Tourist nformation Centre, Railway Station, Ajmer (Morning 10:00 am to Evening 5:00pm) c. Tourist nformation Centre, Hotel Sarovar, Pushkar (Morning 8:00am to Evening 6:00pm),, d. Tourist nformation Cell (Temporary), Mela Grounds, Pushkar (Morning 7:00am to Evening 7:00pm) e. Tourist nformation Cell (Temporary) Tourist Village, Pushkar (Morning 7:00am to Evening 7:00pm) Further directives are also issued: 0 t is the duty of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) to arrange for healthy entertainment based on folk culture, for tourists and pilgrims. Essentially the programmes showcase the folk music and folk songs of Rajasthan. ': 0 To generate an interest among the tourists towards various animal competitions and informal rural games. n addition to this all wings of the administration must be seriously involved during the opening and closing ceremony. 0 To overlook and ensure adequate lightening arrangement, especially along the Ghats with the help of floodlights. 0 To prepare attractive and multicolored brochure and to distribute them (especially 328

26 among foreigners) so as to advertise the fair, and thus in turn attracting more foreigners/tourists. 0 Cultural Programmes and Sports Competition: The education department has been entrusted to prepare cultural programmes with the involvement of middle school children, and the Panchayat Samitis would be responsible for various sports competition. 0 For the y~ar 2002 along with administrative arrangement, the cultural programmes, too would be held in the Mela grounds from the very first day itself i.e., from the day of flag hoisting ( ) this would increase the attraction for the foreigners and for pilgrims too. 0 The animal husbandry department provides free of cost land for setting up of stalls for exhibition to central government, state government, semi-government and selfhelp group's endeavours. The exhibition was inaugurated on in evening. During the exhibition, care should be taken to disseminate proper information regarding various government plans and new products especially among the rural populace. The Animal Fair-2002 Advisory Committee in its meeting on , fixed the schedule of fair as following Mela Duration Chowkiyan (booths) to be set up Flag hoisting ceremony White Letter to oo Rawanna (The animals with their owners 329

27 Sporting activities during Cattle Fair

28 can leave the fair grould) Development Exhibition and inauguration of Sank.ar (mixed breed)animal Exhibition Animal Competition to Cultural Programme to Prize Distribution Ceremony ': 10. Closing Ceremony According to the official schedule, the proposed cultural programmes are as follows: S.No. Date Time Name of the Programme am Establishment of the Control Room Establishment of Booths (Chowkiyon) am Rangoli Competition am Flag hoisting am Releasing the "Official brochure-samarika-2002" and dedicating it to the people S.NO. Date Time Name of the Programme 11.00am Lagan cricket match (Film Stars V s District Administration) am Lagan Cricket match (ndians Vs Foreigners) 5.00pm Deepdan in Pushkar Sarovar, Cultural Evening Rajasthani Folk dance and pupeetering show by Sohanlal. ': 330

29 View of the Cultural Programmes in Pushkar Fair

30 6.00pm 7.00pm By Song and Drama Division, Jodhpur Shenai-Nagara Tejaji Dance (By Tourist Department) 8.00pm A late night Musical Soiree am nformal Games Satoliya ndian Women against Foreigners Women noon Breaking the earthen vessel (Matka) by forming a pyramid l.oopm TyreRace 5.00 pm Rajasthani Kalbeliya dance 6.00pm 7.00pm 9.00pm Song and Drama Division, Jodhpur Rajasthan Kavi Sammelan Lakhbir Singh Lakha (Bhajan Sandhya) S.NO. Date Time Name of the Programilie am Chota Dhari (ndian V/s Foreigners) noon Musical Chair,, 1.00 pm Matka race 6.00pm nter Panchayat Samiti Music and Dance Competition am Rawanna (the animal owners with their animals can leave the fair ground) am lnter..:panchayat Samiti Sports Competition am Ladies Matka (filled with water) Race 331,,

31 Camel and their owners in best of their fineries

32 ' am Street play (by Shankar Singh Rawat) noon Camel Decoration Competition 1.00 pm Camel Saddle Decoration Competition 6.00 pm Gir animal Exhibition, District ndustries Exhibition nauguration 7.00pm 8.00pm Development Exhibition nauguration Oddisi Dance Evening (by Shrimati Kumkum Mohanty) am nter Panchayat Samiti Animal Competition, Kho- Kho, Kabaddi am Rajasthan Bridal Competition noon Horse Dance Competion 1.00 pm Camel Dance Competition S.NO. Date Time Name of the Programme 2.00pm 6.00pm Gir Animal Competition Milk Competition, Cultural Evening presented by Song and Drama Division Jodhpur 7.00pm Fire Dance (by artistes from Bikaner) am Milk competition am Volleyball and Rope-Tug war am Tilak and Turban Competition (for foreigners) 2.00 pm Nagouri and Haryanvi Animal Competion 6.00 pm Milk Competition 332

33 7.00pm Cultural Dance by Kathak Kala Kandra, Jaipur am Milk Competition am nter Panchayat Samiti Competition ': 11.00am Kissa Kursi ka 7.00pm Fire work Programme 8.00 pm "Punjabi Bhajan Sandhya" (Vinod Chaddha and troupe from Delhi) am Cattle show championship competition nter Panchayat Samiti Sports final. Closing Ceremony 7.00pm Msk, Chakri, Gair, Swang, Bamarliya, Ghoomar, Kalebeliya, Kacchi Ghodi Khartaal. S.NO. Date Time Name of the Programme,, 9.00 pm Bhajan Sandhya (by junior An up Jalota, and Junior Narendra Chanchal am Closing Ceremony pm MelaCloses Apart from the above, there are various street plays, programs by Rajasthani artistes and Vishnu Puran exhibition. To conduct the above functions in an effectual manner and to maintain administrative efficaciousness, more so, to maintain law and order, the following orders were issued by,, the government. A brief description of the orders: 1. Order No. 152 dt To maintain the administrative efficacy and law 333

34 situation during Pushkar mela, The District Magistrate, Ajmer, has appointed following magistrates on duty. Shrimati Mugdha Sinha (Mela Magistrate) las, Subdivisional Magistrate, Ajmer Shri K.K. Pathak (Additional Mela Magistrate.A.S (Probationer) 2 Order No.153dt By orders of Zilla Magistrate, to maintain law and order, during the Pushkar mela, the Deputy collector Ajmer has been appointed as officiating Magistrate 3 Order No. 152 dt By the orders of Zilla Magistrate Ajmer, Two officiating magistrate to be in reserve. Shri Shankar Lal, Sahayak Bhu Prabandh Adhikari, (Deputy Land Acquisition, Officer) Ajmer. Shri Ganpat Singh, Tehsildar, Nagar Sudhar Nyas, Ajmer 4 Order No.75 dt By the orders ofmela Magistrates, so as to maintain the cleanliness of holy sarovar, a ban on selling any other item other than those required for prasad and puja. 5 Order No.74dt By the order ofmela magistrates, the Nagar Palika area of Pushkar and 8.00 km from its boundaries under ndian Penal code act of 144 from midnight of to the midnight of on the use of the following items restrictions (ban) have been 334

35 imposed: use of drugs, to buy or sell non-vegetarian food, razor sharp arms, inflammatory speeches, distribution of literature or pamphlets having communal overtone, photography on the ghats, to keep edible food items uncovered, to erect tent like or temporary shop on government land without permission, to stick posters and boards, sound amplifier, run films on V.C.R and to leave animals \ untethered in the Nagar Palika area. 6 Letter No dt The administration by the orders ofupkhand Adikari and Mel a Magistrate for the comfort of the travellers, tourists have opened up milk booths at following places. a) Near Mela ground b) Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (R. T.D.C) c) Near Brahma temple d) Old Bus Stand e) Mahadev Chowk f) Holi kachowk 7 Order No 73 dt By the orders of Mela Magistrates in Pushkar from.., to the end of the mela for travellers and foreign tourists, a special administrative control room has been set up to help them, which will be operating round the clock. To smoothen the flow of vehicular traffic and for the purpose of parking, the vehicles would be issued vehicular pass. The passes are Red/Green/White in color. Both private 335

36 and government vehicles should only travel on the routes as indicated on the pass and park accordingly. The vehicles which are without any passes should park at following places : 1. n front of Bangar School For two Wheelers 2. On both sides of Ajmer Bus Stand For Two Wheelers 3. Old Chungi Chowki For Private vehicles (n front of Ajmer road in (Like car, jeep and mini bus) Nagar Palika Colony) t is apparent, that a major administrative juggernaut is on the roll, not only for the duration of the Pushkar fair, but also before and afterwards. What needs to be,, pointed out, is that there is no singular defining concern, but the interest are enmeshed in to each other. The economic-political implications underlines the apparent religio-social congregation. From a daily study of a local newspaper, (Dainik Bhaskar), (content analysis) from there is not much difference, in the administrative input. n fact a survey of the reportage from 24th October 1998 to 6th November 1998 ofdainik Bhaskar reveals the following. The Dainik Bhaskar (Dt ) reports of a 'sound and light' programme titled "Manzilen aur bhi hain" to be held during Pushkar Mela. The programme of one " and half hour duration would show-case the cultural heritage oflndia, tracing its historical moorings from King Ashoka's reign till the traumatic partition and the much cherished independence. The programme will be held under the aegis of Ministry of nformation 336

37 and Broadcasting, Government of ndia. t had 125 artistes participating from all over ndia. n addition to this, the Regional Advertising office from 28th Oct to 3rd November, on video projector would showcase documentary films on Voter's rights, ADS, Health and Family Welfare, Rural Development Programmes, and National Solidarity. " The 'Dainik Bhaskar' dt 24 Oct report that the local Thana ncharge ofpushkar convered a meeting of hotel and tourist house owners and apprised them of the Do's and Do not's issued by the administration. The foreigners are to be made welcome and they should not be misguided, and should be warned of pickpockteers and shop lifters during the mela premises(from 2002, Smarika) but care should be taken to make the foreigners sensitive towards local religious customs and feelings and photography on ghats is to be strictly prohibited. According to Shri Laduram Sharma, the President of 'Shri Tirth Guru Purohiton Sangh Trust', each purohit will get an identity card, which would have the purohit's " photograph, purohit's name, father's name and address. This has been done, sb that the pilgrims can recognize their purohits, even in the overcrowded ghats. From the above three excerpts, the following can be concluded that by organizing a mela, the administration's main area of gains are economic, religious and socio-p.olitical. To elaborate on the economic gains, the following table would be necessary.showcasing the total transaction involved in selling and buying of animals. A further analysis of everyday record of" lal chitti" (red letter) and "safed chitti" (white letter) issued to animal owners on entering the mela ground and for transaction as respectively as per the reportings in Dainik Bhaskar, would show the vibrant economy at work. 337

38 Pushkar Animal Fair Details From 1996 to 2001 S. No. Animal ncome Sale ncome Sale ncome Sale ncome Sale ncome Sale 1 Cow Buffalo Horse Camel Sheep Goat Donkey Others Total ncome Of Animal Rearer's Lac Lac Lac Lac Lac ncome of Animal Husbandary / / / / /- Department

39 The 'Dainik Bhaskar' dated reports that there are ten chowkis (booth) at different entry points at Pushkar through which the animals can enter after their owners have procured 'safed chitti' (white letter). The total number of animals that have entered is 5,000 and the maximum among them is the camel. From the above arrival, the buying and selling records were as follows as: (as per table on the next page) By 29th Oct (as per Dainik Bhaskar dt 29th Oct, 1998), business transaction worth Rs. 81 Lakh have been conducted, the selling price range of the anin;1als were as follows: Bullocks Small Calf - Camel Horse Rs. 10,000 - Rs. 200 (depending on the breed) Rs. 4,500 - Rs. 500 Rs Rs. 300 Rs. 40;000 - Rs. 2,000 The price variation is essentially keeping in mind the breed of the animal. According to the reporting total 716 animal had left the fair ground and the total revenue earned from them was'rs. 10,256. By 30th October (as per Dainik Bhaskar dt 29th Oct, 1998), transaction involved a total of3358 ani~als and it generated a business of rupees 951akh, 2.1 thousand and 303. The highest price till date paid for different categories of animals were as follows: A pair of Ox Buffaloe Camel Horse Rs. 12,000 Rs. 8,000 Rs. 23,000 Rs. 44,000 The total business for each species was as following: Cow Rs. 7,77,

40 Buffalo Rs. 1,19,798 Camel Rs. 67,30,000 Horses Rs. 18,97,536 This involved buying and selling of 441 cows, 111 buffaloes, 2637 camels, 169 horses. By 31st October (Dainik Bhaskar dt ) as business worth Rs. 3 crores, 18 lakh and 47 thousands has been transacted, and according to Dainik Bhaskar dt , out of the 20,870 animals "rawanna" for 6,958 animals has been cut resulting in an earning of Rs. 48,887. The rawanna earning for last year for animals was Rs What is apparent is that the continuous drought like situation, and the weak condition of economy, has brought down the demand for animals. The 'Dainik Bhaskar' dated reported that the total sale has resulted in business transaction ofrs. 3,96,30,689. The highest cost fetched by animals were as follows: Horse Rs. 1,51,000 Camel Rs. 23,000 Ox Rs. 72,000 The general mood was that rates for horses have come down by thousand rupees that of camel Rs. 500, Ox Rs.100 and Buffalo Rs.700. The 'Dainik Bhaskar' dt reports that the total business transaction was for 4.5 crores. The Animal Husbandry department has earned revenue ofrs. Sixty Five Thousand only, and this earning is Rs. Twenty Thousand less than last year. According to Roshan Lal Dev, an ofticial from Animal Husbandry department, for the duration between to the total animal arrival was 21,280, the number of animals sold was 9345 and 339

41 Tourist Arrival Figures in PUSHKAR During Last Twenty Year PUSHKAR Year ndian Foreigner (Up to Sept)

42 Tourist Arrival Figures in AJMER During Last Twenty Year AJMER Year ndian Foreigner (Up to Sept)

43 Foreigners participation in Pushkar Fair

44 Tourists enjoying the different games in Pushkar Fair

45 the total transaction amounted to Rs. 4 crores 60 lakhs. The other source of earning was from the various stalls put by the department, which aggregated tors. llakh 57 thousand. The total coming to Rs. 2 lakh 15 thousand Another indirect though profitable involvement of the government is through bus transportation and 'special fair buses' which comes from as far as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and so on, which are run by the government as well as by private bus owners to facilitate transportation. The other source of income which is eagerly awaited is the much valued presence of the 'foreigners'. The foreigners essentially visit the fair for many reasons. While talking to many of them what was evident was that tourists from England, Holland, srael, France, Germany and Sweden come es~entially for a camel ride, photographing the sunset on sand dunes, colorful Rajasth~i dresses, cultural dances. They gen~rally stay in tourists huts either private or owned by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC). The huts are Swiss type or of a simple pattern, done up on a Rajasthani theme and culture, but with all the modern amenities. According to the estimate given by various tour operators, every year five thousand foreigners do come to Pushkar, but this year the attendatj.ce has thinned down. Generally the booking for these tourists huts are done six months in advance and the rates vary from rupees three thousand to rupees ten thousand per night during the peak mela time. That the earning is a lucrative proposition out here is evident from the fact that an intense competition is on to lure the 'firangi' -the foreigner. The R TDC whereas has a fixed tarrif and has a cumbersome bureal.jfracy to make things difficult for itself, the private resort owners, do not have a fixed tariff rate, as they increase and decrease the tariff rates as per the supply and demand. Thus in the process, they lure 340

46 up many floating tourists who happen to be in Pushkar mela. What was most striking is that how modem means of communication has in era of globalisation and liberalisation, established far and wide linkages. The downswing in the Pushkar's economy could not be plainly attributed to the existing famine conditions. Even a small trader could pinpoint, in a simple fashion, minus the financial jargons, that the World Cup 1998, and the Pokhran nuclear blast had kept foreigners" away from Pushkar. Many tour operators and private resort owners, have a one liner 'Blame it on Pokhran'. According to them, the health conscious Europeans are scared of the radioactive fallout, as Pokran like Pushkar is in Rajasthan and that is serving as a strong deterrent. The second reason is that for many tourists, an annual 'foreign' outing, is desirable, keeping in mind their budgetary constraints, and for the current year, instead of'destination ndia' their destination has been the World Cup. Thus the Pokhran nuclear blast has served as a deterrent for dollars coming in and the World Cup has turned away the prospective customers. The loser are not only the exclusive 'tour operators' and 'resoit owners', but loss is felt across all the strata of the society. From the camel owners, who arrange the moonlight camel safari across the sand dunes, to the shopkeepers selling their 'ethnic lehnga-choli', 'Salwar-Kurta' Rajasthani 'Pagadi', to the sweet shopowners selling the local delicacy ' Malpuwa', to the beggars who get a chance to be photographed on asking, for a price (few dollar more), the traditional puppeteer selling the indigenously built Kathputli (pupet which can be controlled by nimble fingers), the innumerable stalls selling imported brands of cigars, cigrattes, mineral water bottle, mouth freshner etc, the music shops (which excels in showcasing, both the Carnatic and the Northern styles, also pre recorded cassettes 341