Jodhpur to skip foundation day functions

JODHPUR: For the second year in succession, Jodhpur is unable to engage in revelries of celebration of its foundation day, falling on May 12 (Wednesday). Like last year, this year also, the pandemic-ravaged city will abstain from fun and frolic to celebrate the day.
Jodhpur, founded by Rao Jodha on May 12, 1459 is observing its 563rd foundation day. But like always, there will not be any illuminated circles or decked up heritage buildings to mark the celebrations.
Mehrangarh Fort Assistant Director (R&A) Mahendra Singh Tanwar said that there would not be any event or activity this time again due to the Covid lockdown.
“It begins with floral tributes to Rao Jodha’s statue at Jaswant Thada and other martyrs and prayers at ‘Rao Jodhaji ka Falsa’ in the fort,” he said adding that none of such activities would be taking place this time also.
With this pandemic lives being lost in droves, Jodhpur also recalls its tryst with similar pandemic in 1918, when the city was badly hit by plague and flu consecutively.
“It is not new to Jodhpur. Similar arrangements like isolation centres, medication and ration supplies for affected families had been employed by the then ruler Sumer Singh in March 1918 when plague had spread during rain,” said Tanwar.
The Marwar Residency then had discussed the formulae of “Swadeshi Quinine,” popular medicine prevalent for fever and flu then and had distributed it among the people affected with the infection.
The pandemic lasted for about 9 months as plague was followed by an attack of flu (influenza) and Jodhpur lost maharaja Sumer Singh losing his life at a young age of 21 years while making arrangements in Marwar to protect the people of Marwar from this invisible enemy.
“Hoarding and over-charging was punishable and cavalry marched across the town to keep watch on these shops and the houses,” said Tanwar.
The government buildings had been turned into isolation centres then and only shops with food and ration items were allowed to open for designated time with fixed prices so that no one dies of hunger.