Rajasthan, the ancient ‘land of the royals’, is today an integral part of Indian union. Rajputana’s history goes back far in Indian history. The otherwise dry and mostly arid state attracts millions of visitors every year. Majestic palaces, mouthwatering food, rich tapestry of culture and hospitable locals make it a romantic must-see destination. Thar dessert’s aridness has not touched the heart and minds of the warm Rajasthanis.
State capital Jaipur hosted a show last January that will be etched in memory for a long time to come, when the pink city welcomed several thousand people of Indian origin –home coming, celebrations and reunion all rolled into one for many. At the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas many great Indian-origin people shared the stage here to discuss, and plan. Tangible achievements from such gatherings are hard to measure, but a meeting of great minds is a great achievement in itself.
History reveals that the name Rajasthan or Rajputana is not necessarily native or that old – it dates back to the British era. According to historians, the ancient name of the state was Gurjaratra or the land protected by the Gurjars. However, the neighbouring state of Gujarat assumed a name that could have gone to Rajasthan. The oldest archeological Indus-Sarasvati Civilization’s site Kalibangan is located in Rajasthan, claiming a long and continuous history of the state and the region. And, the region close to Jaipur is part of what was the Matsya Kingdom of the Mahabharat era and King Virat’s kingdom is said to be located in what is modern-day Bairat.
Though the significant role of the trading Marwari community in Indian business and economy and also abroad (The industrial families of Birla, Bajaj and Mittals hail from here) is often highlighted, Rajasthan was more famous for its valour. It was home to several prominent clans of ancient era including the Rajputs, Charans, Yadavs, Jats, Meenas, Bhils, Gurjars, Bishnois and also Marwaris. Rajasthan gave birth to some great kings like Rana Sanga, who fought against the founder of the Mughal kingdom Babur, King Hemu, who snatched power in Delhi for a brief while, and Rana Pratap who is the epitome of valour and sacrifice to protect his people and land from alien forces.
Though the marble for building Taj Mahal was taken from Rajasthan, the state has unparalleled architectural marvels such as the Dilwara Jain temple in Mt Abu. . Some of these temples were built from a single piece of large rock. To many observers, Taj Mahal’s grandeur is dimmed by the splendour of supreme sculptural artistry of temples like this.
Tourism appears to be a great source of revenue for the state, but it accounts for only 15% of its economy, where as agriculture and industry contribute about 23% & 33%, respectively. Rajasthan is still part of the BIMARU group that comprises India’s poorest states. Its economic growth, at about 5%, is far below the national average (7%) However, there are some good signs: it’s poverty level has gone down significantly in recent years as compared to its other BIMARU counterparts, and Rajasthan has clocked the lowest urban un-employment rate in the country.
Rajasthan’s economy is growing, but it is less than expected and projected. It needs to do much better. The good news is that the industry sector is growing. Rajasthan has attracted many large national and multi-national corporations. Its solar energy project is admirable and consumption of power by the state also has gone up. If planned and executed properly, it can really become a hub of solar and wind energy utilizing its vast area of desert.
It is hoped that Rajasthan will make great strides in coming years. Consequently, all the people of Indian origin, and specially those having roots in Rajasthan, have a responsibility to contribute in many ways, including investment, technology and business.
