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A fistful of memories....

We take a look at the events and people that made headlines in 2018 in the state. We witnessed a change of guard in government, two celebrity weddings, a deadly virus that tested the might of the health department and the curious case of missing hills!

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Gehlot stages a comeback

The end of 2018 saw return of Congress government in state after five years. Win was marred by acrimony between two Congress bigwigs over the top executive post in the state government. After marathon sessions convened by AICC chief Rahul Gandhi over three days and hectic parlays and consultations with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and a battery of senior Congressmen, Ashok Gehlot was named the chief minister and Sachin Pilot his deputy. In a first, the oath ceremony of the new government was held at iconic Albert Hall. Congress, in a display of united Opposition, had invited non-BJP leaders for the event.

When PM visited city twice 

As 2018 was an election year in Rajasthan, prime minister Narendra Modi paid frequent visits  to the state. He came to Jaipur  twice, creating a lot of media frenzy and buzz. First Modi came to Jaipur to attend the beneficiary sammelan  where he saw how the people of the state were benefiting from the numerous schemes of both the state and Central governments. Jaipur again saw Modi’s presence in the last leg of election campaign for his party. The PM held a road show in Jaipur where he sought votes for the 13 BJP candidates from both Jaipur city and Jaipur rural constituencies. His presence though failed to get votes for his party.

The case of missing 31 Hillocks

After it was reported that total of 31 hillocks have completely vanished due to illegal mining in the Aravallis, the Supreme Court, in October, come down heavily on the Rajasthan government over its inability to crack down on illegal mining in certain sections of the Aravallis. After the rap, the state mining department accelerated its efforts to stop illegal mining in the areas. The Apex Court had asked the state government to ensure that illegal mining is stopped within 48-hours which made state government spring into action. 

When Rahul’s gotra became talk of town 

A raging debate ensued over Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s ‘gotra’  during his visit to Pushkar ahead of Assembly polls in state. He mentioned his ‘gotra’, while offering a puja at the Sarovar, as Dattatreya’ and said that he is a Kashmiri Brahmin. Politics heated up as the BJP said it was the gotra of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and not of his (Rahul’s) father or grandfather. The BJP had been questioning Gandhi over his temple visits during elections and had even asked what his ‘gotra’ was.

Prez Kovind launches schemes in Jaipur

President Ram Nath Kovind, visited Jaipur for the first time in May this year and launched three state government schemes and distributed cheques and certificates to the beneficiaries of these schemes. The President recalled that Rashtrapati Bhavan construction has Rajasthan’s contribution as stones of Makrana, Alwar and Jaisalmer were used in it. A Jaipur column is located on the main gate of Rashtrapati Bhavan’s building, which reminds him of Rajasthan, President had said.

An exam that tested admin’s preparedness

The constable recruitment exam of Rajasthan Police gave jitters to both police and administration officials in August 2018. Initially the exams had to be cancelled due to reports of wide-spread cheating by a gang. When the re-exam was held in August, all types of electronic items are not allowed inside examination hall and the candidates were forced to follow the dress code of wearing half sleeves clothes among other things. Those who did not comply were not allowed to enter the centre till they fell in line.  

Kishangarh-delhi  gets direct flight

The much-awaited Kishangarh-Delhi flight commence from October 8 in 2018, giving a fillip to the marble traders here. The daily flight was also welcomed by both the pilgrims and tourists as it will be providing better access to Ajmer and Pushkar, as both these places receive large number of tourists every year especially during Pushkar Fair and Urs at Ajmer Dargah. The route will aid buyers from all over the world, who are interested in buying marble stone and artifacts, from Kishangarh. Apart from this the flight will save a lot of time of businessmen who had to travel by train or bus to Delhi. 

Zika outbreak keeps health dept on toes

India’s biggest Zika virus outbreak in Jaipur kept the state health department on toes since the first positive case of the infection in Rajasthan come to light in September 2018. One Shakuntala Devi, an 83-year-old resident of Shastri Nagar Housing Board area in state capital Jaipur tested Zika positive after her samples were sent to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.  Despite all efforts, new cases of Zika Virus infection continued to be reported in the city. A total of 150 people were found positive with Zika Virus in Jaipur forcing the department to set up toll free helpline number.

Veteran BJP MLA who can talk tough inside House

2018 saw ouster of BJP from state. But the party has high hopes to make a comeback in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The man to watch out for is Gulab Chand Kataria who is a frontrunner for the post of leader of opposition in the Assembly. A master orator, this seven-time MLA can give the Congress a tough time in House.

Jaipur to get a new Mayor in Bharadwaj in New Year

With Jaipur mayor Ashok Lahoti becoming an MLA and resigning from the post, deputy mayor Manoj Bharadwaj was given additional charge as Jaipur mayor until the election of a new mayor. Bharadwaj has vowed to work together with everybody for the development of city and cleanliness of Jaipur.

A challenging year ahead for Gehlot

The road ahead will be tough for chief minister Ashok Gehlot. He has his task cut out to wrest 25 Lok Sabha seats to help bring UPA back to power. He shall have to work tirelessly, plan strategy and show results to the Congress chief Rahul Gandhi whose coronation as Prime Minister depends on contribution from desert state.

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