When I saw Gujarat Tourism advt in the newspaper (around Navrathri) promoting the Rann of Kutch in the name of Rann Utsav, I was curious about a festival being held in the arid, dry and water thirsty area of a Gujarat, the right hip of India. Government which is famous for sub-standard and run down facilities, lack of punctuality and professionalism among their staff, and all the joot (not jazz) that comes with it got me a little worried, but still what is life without taking a risk? Will this festival at the hip of India be the hep?
Government runs the corporate way!
Getting more information online or calling up the local Gujarat Tourism office to book a tent was a breeze. The Courteous staff mailed across the receipt, sent instructions on when, where to report via email and a day before from the Bhuj office called my mobile enquiring about my arrival and reminding how and where to reach them at Bhuj. The registration desk had a senior member to guide, but the show was run by youth. Bags were tagged and tent number printed on the tags and the registration desk at Bhuj functioned with efficiency giving clear instructions. And the buses left for Dhordo on time putting our airports and airlines to shame.
Cleanliness and Connectivity a given at Dhordo
There were banners and welcome signs done with care and it decorated the dry region of Kutch in a pleasing and pleasant manner. I never saw or felt a pothole jolting my spine during the 90 minute ride despite Dhordo being a remote area in Gujarat. Turning a piece of uncultivable, fallow land filled with cactus and thorny shrubs into a huge campground with 200 tents, connecting them with well lit paved roads, providing clean water, uninterrupted electricity, free wifi and offering clean facilities and delicious dining halls serviced by polite and welcoming staff is no joke for a Government. And they have managed to put up an impressive show.
A Youth empowered festival
To watch youth dressed in a presentable way, welcome and introduce themselves and also asking you to get in touch with them for any queries made my neck go up like camels neck. Watching them manage the huge dining halls and the camps ground was sweetly surprising. When did Government facilities turn so youthful, clean, organized and responsible? May be that's how it is in the land of Na Mo.
Simple, safe yet comfortable and stylish
I was staying in B enclosure and a huge empty space in the middle was punctuated by tents on the periphery. At the middle of the camp there was provision for a campfire and a medium size tent for an evening gathering.
Every tent had an easy chair on the porch along with news papers in English and Hindi. You also had individual fire extinguishers outside each tent making a big safety statement upfront. As you entered the tent to the right you had a study table and two chairs, and to the right were two single beds. Cross ventilation bringing in adequate sunshine and oxygen, a pedestal fan for pushing out exhaled air and a printed card outlining safety Instructions to follow made it feel like safe place. Though basic, the toilet is clean, leak-free, stain-free and functional. The tents to me looked like an ashram and there was only room for need and not greed. A lay out map with you are here pin point was available at various places in the camp. Why don't we find such simple information in the city? And why Can we get such an accommodation in the city?
Every tent had an easy chair on the porch along with news papers in English and Hindi. You also had individual fire extinguishers outside each tent making a big safety statement upfront. As you entered the tent to the right you had a study table and two chairs, and to the right were two single beds. Cross ventilation bringing in adequate sunshine and oxygen, a pedestal fan for pushing out exhaled air and a printed card outlining safety Instructions to follow made it feel like safe place. Though basic, the toilet is clean, leak-free, stain-free and functional. The tents to me looked like an ashram and there was only room for need and not greed. A lay out map with you are here pin point was available at various places in the camp. Why don't we find such simple information in the city? And why Can we get such an accommodation in the city?
The Food
It is Rann Utsav while the arrangements almost resembled a convention and the food reminded me of a carnival. Huge AC dining halls opened at 7.30 am for breakfast, 12.30 noon for lunch and 7.30 pm for dinner. From Salad to desert the whole three course Gujarati cuisine was served with no compromise in quality or quantity. Gujarati thali is loaded with ghee and specially their desserts like Mohan Thal and dry fruit halwa dripping with ghee and lavishly garnished with dry fruits is a testimony to quality.
Something for Everyone
The Government of Gujarat had also organized a huge exhibition hall to showcase the beauty, history, art and crafts, livelihood of people of Kutch. An open amphitheatre also played videos in the evening promoting the history, festival and culture of Gujarat. There were also opportunities for people to buy the crafts made by local people and a food court to engage in some fresh fruits and snacks like Bhelpuri and Pav Bhaji. For those who like to stretch and exercise the tents contained an enclosure to practice yoga and a stargazing event for elderly and kids to stare at the night from 9 pm - 11 pm. And for the movie buffs there was a movie hall in the camp ground that played movies in the evenings.
Here is the link to the pics: https://picasaweb.google.com/108289564546757100555/KutchTripDec2012?authkey=Gv1sRgCLaQwqD6vtjAhwE
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