State seeks WB funds for tourism infrastructure

By Gargi Parsai

JAISALMER, DEC. 4. When the World Bank Chief, Mr. James Wolfensohn, followed the US President, Mr. Bill Clinton, in his footsteps to Rajasthan to savour the delights of folk music and camel safaris in the Thar desert last month, the Rajasthan Tourism department was quick to seek funds from him for infrastructure development.

The Tourism Department presented a proposal for Rs. 1,200 crore to Mr. Wolfensohn. Says the Additional Director of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. O. P. Yadav, ``We lack in infrastructure, particularly inter-city connectivity and on our kind of shoe-string budget of Rs. 3 crore per annum we have limitations.'' The World Bank is financing a four-lane highway between Delhi and Jodhpur. Work has been completed between Delhi and Jaipur and is on between Jaipur and Ajmer. But Jaisalmer remains unconnected.

Jaisalmer is famous for its exquisite architecture in golden sandstone, which has formed the backdrop for many successful films. Satyajit Ray shot Sonar Kela (Golden Fort) in the 11th century Jaisalmer fort founded by Rawal Jaisal. Films from Sunil Dutt's Reshma Aur Shera to Rudali have been made in the various havelis and on the 300 km stretch of sand dunes. The latest was Aaishwarya Rai and Ajitabh Bachchan's `Dhai Akhshar Prem Ka' which was shot in the Garisar lake in the heart of the city.

Not only that popular folk numbers like `pardesi, pardesi jaana nahin' and `kaacha kaacha nimbuda laayi do' are traditional folk songs now made popular by films. Ila Arun from Rajasthan has made the folk songs into pop numbers. But what is remarkable is that the singers perform on self-made instruments whether it is Rawanhata or Kamaicha or Algoza.

Mr. Raghubir Singh, Assistant Director, Rajasthan Tourism, told a visiting press party from Delhi that it is said when Sawan Khan, a self- trained folk singer of Jaisalmer sings, his voice can be heard across the border. Sawan and another member of his group, Nizam Khan, can sing for hours on the sand dunes of Jaisalmer's Thar desert.

However, such treats are only good for those staying at four- star or five-star hotels. Or they have to be specially arranged for by the Department of Tourism. Backpackers have to be content with performances arranged by restaurants.

Besides the `Sonar Kela' and the beautiful Jain temples inside the fort, there are 11th to 14th century Jain temples at Amar Sagar and in the old city of Lodarwa and the famous 19th century Patwon Ki Haweli and Diwan Nathmal Ki Haveli which are great tourist attractions. The city is an example of how rural tourism can change the lives of people bringing them employment, shoppers and paying guests.

Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Indian Airlines, has begun operations to the tourist destination Udaipur from Delhi for the first time this season, although restricted connectivity to Jaisalmer has been on since 1997. According to Indian Airlines' Director, (Public Relations), Mr. R. N. Pathak, there are plans to augment the capacity of Alliance Air by taking five Boeing 737 on lease from later this month. With this the total fleet of the airline will go up from 11 to 16, increasing capacity by almost 50 per cent.

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