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Massive Fire Broke Out at IOC Fuel Depot in Jaipur – 12 People Died and Over 150 Injured

Oct 30

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A massive fire at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) depot near Jaipur has been raging on for almost 24 hours now. 12 people have died and over 150 have been injured.

Fire at Indian Oil Corporation Depot in Sitapura Industrial Area, Jaipur

Fire at Indian Oil Corporation Depot in Sitapura Industrial Area, Jaipur

The explosion took place on Thursday at 7:00 pm at IOC petrol depot in Sitapura area on the outskirts of Jaipur city when petrol was being transported to a pipeline and the fire soon engulfed the entire depot, spreading over 5 kilometres.

It burned through the night and was still engulfed by huge flames and black smoke late Friday afternoon.

Fire due to Leakage

The fire, that started due to a leakage in one of the valves, continues to rage in five of the 12 tanks that stored petrol, diesel and kerosene. Two diesel tanks, each having 20,000 kilolitres of the auto fuel, and three 10,000 kl petrol storages were on fire.

Impact of the Explosion

The impact of the explosion and the consequent fire was such that the walls of buildings two to three kilometers away developed cracks and splinters of glass caused injuries to many.

Many of the injured are from the staff of Genus Electronics, an electronic equipment manufacturing unit near the IOC depot.

Services affected

The Rail and road connectivity on the Jaipur-Kota section up to Sawai Madhopur district was stopped or diverted as a precautionary measure.

Government Initiative

Army has been sent to carry out the fire fighting and rescue operations at the site. Fire experts have been called from Mumbai. Five lakh residents around the area have been moved to safer locations, including hostelers of 10 engineering and medical colleges.

The Indian government has announced a compensation of one million rupees (20,000 U.S. dollars) for the families of those killed, 200,000 rupees for the seriously injured and 100,000 rupees for those who sustained minor injuries.

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Pushkar Fair 2009 – The Biggest Cattle Fair

Oct 28

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Pushkar Festival

Pushkar Festival

The Pushkar Fair is overwhelming in its magnitude and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. It is easily one of the most spectacular and colorful fairs of India and famous the world over for its collection of colorful people, camel and cattle.

Pushkar Fair is perhaps the largest cattle fair in the world.

Rajasthan which is enriched by cattle wealth is the home to many recognized breeds of cattle like Nagauri, Mewati, Gir etc. Camels are bought, sold, beautified, raced and parade. Most unusual are the small groups of men and women seen busy tattooing their hands and other parts of the body.

The fair is predominantly a rural gathering. Villagers come from different parts of the state and bring their cattle with them. On spectacular sand dunes camel, horse and bullock races are great crowd pullers. All roads lead to the lake, which is flooded with pilgrims. The movement of the crowd is like a tide of colour with currents of crimson, yellow and turquoise.

The Pushkar Fair this year starts on the 25th of October to the 2nd of November with lots of cultural programmes and a lot of animals on sale and many games for tourists and animals and the locals.

Events at Pushkar Fair

Evenings at the Pushkar Fair have their own charm. The silent night is pierced by calls of camels. Ballads are sung by actors in passionate tones. Folk dramas, skits and folk dance are organized for the entertainment of the tourists. The tourist village is self sufficient and specially designed to complement the natural beauty of the site. It has a Coffee Shop and Dining Hall which can cater to 1500 guests at a time.

Dance music and colorful shops come up during this fair. Also on sale are mouth-watering traditional delicacies. Colorfully dresses village folk enhance the fun of the occasion. Lots of cultural events against the backdrop of this pretty setting is also organized including attractive puppet shows. Cattle auction and camel races are also a part of the festivities.

GETTING THERE

By Train

The nearest railway station for Pushkar is Ajmer, which is on the Broad Gauge and hence connected to all the metro cities of India. There are daily trains from Jaipur like Shatabdi Exp and evening Intercity Exp which go in the morning and evening respectively.

By Bus

Pushkar is around 12 km from main Ajmer . Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe & air conditioned buses from Jaipur. There are buses from Jaipur to Ajmer every 15 minutes, some nonstop but just one which goes directly to Pushkar. The roads are also very good, and it takes around 2and a half hrs from Jaipur. You can also go there by taxi.

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Cairn India Starts Oil Production In Its Mangala Field In Barmer, Rajasthan

Sep 1

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Cairn India has begun oil production from Mangala Oil Fields in Barmer, Rajasthan. It is one of the biggest onshore oil discoveries in India. The first consignment of oil was evacuated by trucking to the Gujarat Coast for onward transport to MRPL, a government nominated buyer using heated crude oil tanker.

Cairn Energy Barmer

Mangala, along-with Bhagyam and Aishwariya, is expected to reach peak production of about 175,000 barrels of oil per day over next few years.

India, Asia’s third-largest oil consumer, currently imports more than 2 million barrels of oil per day, accounting for more than 75 percent of its crude oil requirements. At this point the oil production from the Rajasthan field would account for over 20% of the country’s domestic oil production.

Some Facts  about Oil Fields in Rajasthan

1 – Initial volumes of crude will be produced through the first processing train which has a capacity of 30,000 barrels and production ramp up will continue until all four processing trains, with a total capacity of 205,000 bopd, are built and installed by 2011.

2 – The Rajasthan resource base has continually grown since the discovery of Mangala in 2004 – a total of 25 discoveries have already been made – the focus being to realise the full potential of the Barmer Basin in the coming years.

3 – The total acreage under long term contract is 3,111 km2 spread across the districts of Barmer and Jalore.

4 – 16,000 workers are currently involved in the construction activities -5,000 on the pipeline and 11,000 on the MPT.

5 – Crude production from the Rajasthan fields will generate revenues of Rs. 36,000 crore ($7.6 Billion) in the form of royalties to the State Government of Rajasthan over the life of the project, while the Government of India will earn Rs. 46,000 crore ($9.5 Billion) as profit petroleum, assuming crude oil prices of $50 a barrel.

6 – The world’s longest heated and insulated crude oil pipeline is being built by Cairn from the MPT to the Gujarat coast – length of 670 kilometres – giving access to more than 75% of India’s refining capacity – the first phase is targeted for completion by the end of 2009.

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Lagan Mandap – Exhibition on Wedding Services, Designer Jewelery, Clothings at SMS Convention Centre, Jaipur

Aug 30

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Lagan Mandap, a mega exhibition showcasing the comprehensive range of wedding related services by professionals is scheduled for 28-30 Aug’09 in SMS Convention Center in Jaipur Rajasthan.

This 3 days event offers a single platform catering to all the requirements of the bride, bridegrooWedding Managment In Jaipur m & their relatives, wedding panning etc.

The exhibition have experts and specialists coming together to fulfill all the needs & requirements of a wedding like wedding cards, jewellery, designer wear to honeymoon packages.

In this exhibition, exhibit includes Jewelery, Designers wears, Sarees, footwear, Tour packages, Wedding accessories, Catering, Gifts, Fashion Show, Bridal Wear, Designer Wear, Gifts, Fashion Accessories, Beauty Aids & Cosmetics, Hair & Beauty Saloons, Wedding Planners, Event Managers, Caterers, Houses & Flats, Wedding Cards, Holiday and Honeymoon packages.

Royal Weddings in Jaipur

Wedding is the most auspicious moment in one’s life. To make their wedding a great celebration couples across the world come to Jaipur, the pink city of Rajasthan. In fact, it is one of the ‘hot spots’, when it comes to the Royal Weddings. Royal Wedding in Jaipur is popular with the Indians as well as the foreigners.

Jaipur has a lot of wedding venues where one can celebrate his or her wedding in a royal style. The palaces of kings, lush gardens, distinguished jaipur hotels, are some of the wedding venues of the Jaipur city.

Venues of Royal Wedding in Jaipur

Some popular royal wedding venues in Jaipur city are the Jai Mahal Palace, the Samode Palace, the Rambagh Palace, the Oberoi Raj Vilas, City Palace, Samode Palace, Jal Mahal Palace, and Kanak Vrindavan and other famous hotels of Jaipur.

These well equipped with the necessary facilities and modern amenities to handle regal wedding in Rajasthan with convenient ways.

Features of Jaipur Royal Wedding

Some of fantastic ceremonies of Jaipur royal weddings are Haldi Ceremony, Menhadi Ceremony, Sangeet, Fireworks, Baraat Procession, etc. The wedding venues arrange floral decoration, music and cuisine. The cultural dance programs are also arranged to entertain the guests.

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India’s Prominent International Travel & Tourism Fair India Travel Mart (ITM) Started in Jaipur

Aug 21

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India has emerged as one of the leading travel and hospitality powers in the world. Travel & Tourism has become one of the most powerful and dynamic sectors of the Indian economy in the past few years. To promote India as Major Tourism destination across world, India Travel Mart (ITM) started today in B.M Birla Auditorium in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

lIndia Travel Mart

India Travel Mart

India’s one of the prominent International Travel & Tourism Mart promises to provide detailed information to choose from Perfect Holidays, Travel & Tour Packages, Rail Tourism Packages, Online Rail Reservation, Airlines, Cruise and where to stay from the favorite & unexplored Destinations, Hotels, Resorts, Palaces etc. around the Country and Abroad.

ITM Theme – “Destination 2010 for Everyone at Anytime”

The theme of the ITM for 2009-2010 is “Destination 2010 for everyone at anytime”. This Travel mart offer unlimited opportunities for everyone to explore the market and publicize their destination, product and organization at one place.

The India Travel Mart also provide other services i.e. Road Shows, Audio-Visual Presentations, Conferences, Travel Agents & Tour Operators Meet, Corporate & Business Houses Meet, Press Conferences, Cultural Evenings etc for expanding business opportunities, global linkages, develop smart partnerships and potentially rewarding ventures.

Focused on North Indian States and Cities

The Mart offers maximum awareness and promotion in the area of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, NCR, Punjab, Chandigarh especially in the business cities like Jaipur, Vadodara, Panaji, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Ludhiana and nearby cities and states.

The Mart is open (B2B and D2C days) for all Frequent Travelers, Tourism Organizations/Offices, Associations, Excursion Makers, Professionals, Hotel/Food Craft/Catering/Travel/Educational Institutes and High Profile General Public etc.

If you are looking for new and far-reaching markets, ITM will take you a trip to various uncharted areas of the country where you will get great response.

There are stalls by many of the distinguished travel agencies and some of the well known jaipur hotels. First day ‘Friday’ is kept reserved for b2b meetings and interaction while the next 2 days it will be opened for general public.

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Rajasthan Handicraft Exporters ‘Forhex Fair’ Successfully Held in Jaipur

Aug 17

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Forhex Rajasthan Handicraft Exporters in Rajasthan are now looking to the domestic market to survive through the crisis. This is mainly because the Indian market has largely remained largely unaffected by the global meltdown as compared to the rest of the world.

The Federation of Rajasthan Handicraft Exporters is conceptualized to be interface between the Handicraft Exporter, the Government and other related institutions in order, that the industry may grow and progress in totality.

To tap the domestic market, the Federation of Rajasthan Handicraft Exporters (FRHE) organised a three-day Handicraft Fair from 14 Aug to 16 Aug  in Birla Auditorium of Jaipur in order to provide a platform to sellers and buyers of handicraft.

Forhex Fair Attractions

Forhex Fair was one of the mega event in India which showcased wide range of handicraft products. This is the 1st edition of the event organized by Federation Of Rajasthan Handicraft Exporters. The Fair attracted thousands of visitors from India as well as  neighboring countries.

About 100 exhibitors showcased their world-class quality items, including blue pottery, ceramics, clay items, traditional furnishing items, textiles, jewellery and furniture artifacts on the during fair.

All items which were used to be exported are now being offered in the local market to whole sellers, retailers and even individual buyers.

FORHEX aims to work towards a challenge oriented future by promoting world-class products and services in this trade. The event offered a nice opportunity for the attendees to source a unique range of Rajasthan’s handicrafts and textiles prepared for export.

This year the handicraft Industry in Rajasthan exported items worth Rs 200 billion, which is Rs 150 billion less compared with the last fiscal year.

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Sri Krishna Janmashtami – Lets Celebrate The Birth of Hindu God Krishna

Aug 14

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Shri Krishna Janmashtami - Celebrating The Birth of God

Shri Krishna Janmashtami - Celebrating The Birth of God

Janmashtami celebrates the birth of one of the most famous Gods of Hindu religion, Bhagwan Krishna, on the eighth day (Ashtami) in the month of Sravana or Savana. Lord Sri Krishna was born on the ‘Rohini’ nakshatram (star).

It is generally celebrated in the month of August-September according to the Christian Calendar. According to the legends, Sri Krishna was born on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and atrocities of his maternal uncle, Kansa.

How is Janmashtami Celebrated?

Special pujas are held in Sri Krishna Temples around the world. Special poojas and rituals are also held at midnight – the time of Krishna’s birth. Processions with tabloids depicting various episodes from the life of Shri Krishna enacted by children are a major highlight of the festival.

At every temple of lord krishna, this Janmashtami festival is celebrated with a great charm, people dance with bhajans, they offer pooja to lord. Social groups organise competitions like “Matki fod Pratiyogita”. Women and little children goes to lord Krishna’s temple for darshan and pooja.

People put Lord Krishna’s idol in the decorated little cradles. Singing bhajans like jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki, Madan Gopal ki, devotees offer prayers to Lord Krishna. They also chant mantras of Lord Krishna.

Devotees observe fast for the entire day and it is broken after the birth of the Lord at midnight. Only milk and milk products are preferred by them, as these were the favorites of Lord Krishna.

Sri Krishna Janmashtami is known by various names such as Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Saatam Aatham, Ashtami Rohini, Sri Krishna Jayanti and Sree Jayanthi.

Janmashtami Celebrated for over Two Days

Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated for over two days as “Rohini” nakshatra and Ashtami may not fall on the same day. The first day known as Krishnashtami, as the birth of Bhagwan Krishna falls on the eighth day after Raksha Bandhan, which generally falls in the month of August. The second day is known as Kalashtami.

Famous Krishna Temples in India

Some of the famous Krishna Temples in India where Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with much importance includes Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir in Mathura, Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan, Srinath Temple in Rajasthan, Dwarkadhish Temple in Gujarat, Guruvayur Temple in Kerala, Udupi Sri Krishna Temple in Karnataka, and ISKCON Temple in Tirupati.

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Swine Flu Scene in Rajasthan – 5 People Found Affected in Rajasthan Out of 33

Aug 12

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A resident of Ajmer, who had returned from Dubai recently, has been tested positive for swine flu on Tuesday, raising the total number of flu-affected in the Rajasthan to five.

Earlier, four of a family, who were tested positive, have been cured of the influenza.

Of the 33 cases screened in Rajasthan, five have tested positive for the deadly virus while reports of four cases are awaited.

According to sources, the doctor treating the patient in Ajmer is also suspected to have contracted the disease. The patient’s parents were quarantined as a precautionary step and health officials are now tracking others who might have closely interacted with him prior to his admission in the hospital.

Government Initiatives

With a rise in the number of swine flu deaths in the country, a central team today visited the isolation ward at the SMS Hospital in Jaipur  here to assess preparedness and held meeting with senior doctors and health department officials to review the situation even as the state reported its fifth confirmed case of the pandemic.

The two-member team asked the state government to equip its micro-biology testing lab besides updating bio-safety measures for para-medical staff besides providing all necessary medicines, masks and personal protection equipment.

Also Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot held a meeting with concerned officials to monitor the situation and announced a grant of Rs 20 lakh to the SMS Hospital for updating and strengthening its lab where all bacteriological and virology tests could be performed at the earliest.

Contact Info  for Swine Flu Treatment in Jaipur

Infectious District Hospital,
Near Charak Bhawan,
SMS Medical College,
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Ph- 91-141-2564434 ( Dr. Vyas)

What is Swine Flu ?
The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza virus, officially named the “new H1N1″, first identified in April 2009, and commonly called “Swine flu.”

Some Stats about Swine Flu(Source WHO)

Total Confirmed Cases in India 959
Total Deaths in India 17
Total Confirmed Cases Worldwide 162380
Total Deaths Worldwide 1154

How Swine Flu Virus Spreads ?

Swine Flu - A Virus Started From Pigs

The virus typically spreads from coughs and sneezes or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose or mouth. Symptoms, which can last up to a week, are similar to those of seasonal flu, and may include fever, sneezes, sore throat, coughs, headache, and muscle or joint pains.

Prevention in Swine Flu

The spread of swine influenza can be controlled by executing facility management, herd management and vaccination. Standard commercial swine flu vaccines are effective in controlling the infection, when the virus strains match enough to have significant cross protection and custom vaccines should be given to the animals.

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New Looks For Palace on Wheels – India’s Favorite Luxury Train – Rajasthan Tourism on Wheels

Aug 3

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The Palace on Wheels, India’s first luxury train, was an initiative launched by Indian Railways to promote tourism in Rajasthan. It has also been adjudged one of the top ten luxury trains in the world.

There are 14 coaches in the train. Each of them is named after former Rajput states and matches the aesthetics and interiors of the royal past. The train has two lavish restaurants, “The Maharaja” and “The Maharani”, with a Rajasthani ambiance and serving continental, Chinese, Indian and Rajasthani cuisines.

Palace on Wheels

The exquisite and exclusive Palace On Wheels has luxurious cabins, wall to wall carpeting, a well stocked bar, two dining cars and a very personalized service.

Refreshing Change in Decor, Itinerary and Cuisine in Upcoming Tour

After being launched in 1982, the luxury train ‘Palace on Wheels’ is headed for a refreshing change in decor, itinerary and cuisine for the first time.

Over the last few months, the train has undergone an absolute overhaul in tapestry, furnishings and accessories. To impart a totally fresh look, the train has been refurbished with all new tapestry, shears, bed spreads, carpets and table linen in the saloons as well as the two restaurants and the bar.

Palace on Wheels Tour Rescheduled

As per the rescheduled itinerary, the train would be flagged of from Delhi on August 5 by Bina Kak, minister of tourism, Rajasthan, instead of the 27-year-old  schedule with an enhanced fare of US $ 100.

The train is now scheduled to leave Delhi at 1800 hrs instead of 1600 hrs and reach Jaipur about 0345 hrs. It will then depart for Sawai Madhopur instead of Jaisalmer at 23.30 hrs.

The entire idea behind changing the schedule is to get guests to experience Jaipur by night. With an entire day in Jaipur, the guests will get to shop, visit the Albert Hall, City Palace and have lunch at 1135 in restaurant at Amber.

The changed schedule also caters to the need of the tourists to get a wholesome experience of each destination. Now eight meals on board have been reduced to five and the maximum travel distance on the train not beyond 350-400 km.

Further down the journey, special events have been planned to get the guests to feel the real flavour of Rajasthan. Now the dinner in Jaisalmer would be at Sam Sand dunes.

There would be a visit to Kuldhara, the desert village in Jaisalmer. Other add-ons are a visit to Jogi Mahal, Ranthambore, breakfast at Shikar Bari, Udaipur, a hunting lodge of the Mewar ruler, breakfast at Bharatpur bird sanctuary and dinner at ITC Sheraton Agra.

Visit the link to read more on Palace on Wheels

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A Tribute to Maharani Gayatri Devi – A Legendary Woman and a Brand Ambassador of Rajasthan

Jul 31

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Rajmata Gayatri Devi - Brand Ambassador of Rajasthan

Rajmata Gayatri Devi - Brand Ambassador of Rajasthan

Gayatri Devi – the grand queen mother or ‘rajmata’ of the Jaipur royal family in Rajasthan who was listed as one of the most beautiful women in the world, died on Wednesday, aged 90. Her death on Wednesday, barely two months after her 90th birthday May 23, came after complications caused by an intestinal endoscopy that she underwent two months ago. She died in a Jaipur hospital. People still remember her as the Rajmata, for she had truly been the people’s maharani.

The princess Ayesha, who was the daughter of the erstwhile maharaja of Cooch Behar, shot her first panther at the age of 13.

Gayatri Devi was maharani of Jaipur state from 1939 to 1970. She was an excellent marksman, a tennis player and a keen rider, with a deep knowledge of horses. She was attached to all her children, fond of flowers like lilies and gladioli and birds. She was known for her soft floral soft chiffons which used to compliment her beauty.

She spent the last three decades of her life after her husband’s death in 1970 at the picturesque Lilypool — an elegant sprawling bungalow surrounded by greens and a lily pond that she had built with her husband on the premises of Jaipur’s Rambagh Palace.

The maharani, who spent the early years of married life in luxury hunting, partying and holidaying in Europe, forayed into politics in 1962 by contesting and winning Lok Sabha elections from Jaipur. She took interest in social activities, built an exclusive school for girls in Jaipur and promoted the traditional blue pottery of Rajasthan.

The London-born maharani was devout. She regularly visited a Shiva temple atop Moti Dungri in Jaipur. In the latter part of her life, she has done a lot for Jaipur in setting up institutions of education and improving the lot of women.

She was the one queen who with her beauty and charm always reigned over the hearts of many Indians.

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