 The General Election of 1996
 The general election of 1996 was a watershed election due to many reasons. Most important of them being the presence of Mr. Seshan as the Election Commissioner of India. As an officer, I have undertaken election duties in many past elections. I had been observer for Villipuram where Dr. Ponmudi, present Transport Minister of Tamilnadu was elected MLA in 1988. I was also election observer at Mayiladuturai from where Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyer got elected Member of Parliament in 1991.
This time round Mr. Seshan did not want any officer to perform the election duty in the state of their allotment. So we were all packed off to different parts of India. Those of us who were clever and represented on time got placed in cooler places like Mussoorie, Dehradun and Nainital. However, those like me who were too busy working, got posted to constituencies like Jhunjhunu in the ‘Thar Desert’ of Rajasthan where temperatures were running as high as 50 degrees centigrade. People said "you are from Kashmir, you will die of sunstroke during the fifteen days of election duty."
 I had heard that ‘Shekhavati’ region of Rajasthan, famous for its palatial houses and painted havelis, is around Jhunjunu. I spoke to the District Collector Mr. Tripathi, to confirm this fact. He said the District was full of painted buildings and knowing my interest he said, "madam your stay is arranged in a painted palace and your duty route will pass through all the old houses and havelis. Even we will make you visit the polling booths which are in painted buildings."
Thus assured by the authorities, I stopped worrying about the heat and dust. I left for Jhunjhunu with great enthusiasm. I flew to Delhi and from there I went by road to Jhunjunu via Rewari and Chirawa, passing very close to
Pilani.
After attending the election meeting with the officials, I was lodged in Mandava palace which has been converted into a Heritage Hotel, in all, for fifteen days -for a week during pre-poll and polling period and for another week, during counting. Staying here was one of the most exquisite experiences of my life. To find air-conditioned rooms in a desert was heavenly. The food was excellent. The service was superb. Everyday we had dances from snake-charmers (Kalbelia) and other communities to entertain us.
 My area of supervision consisted of five excellent heritage towns of Rajasthan, namely Navalgarh, Mandava, Fatehpur, Rampur, Dundlodh. I was in the midst of ‘Shekhavati’ region which is the home of more than ten top industrial houses of India. This is the place of the Goenkas, Singhanias, Jhujhunwalas, Khemkas, Khaitans, Chowdrys, Poddars and not to forget the Big
‘Birlas’.
‘Shekhavati’ can for that matter be compared to ‘Chettinadu’ in Tamilnadu. Like Shekhavati it is a dry and arid place. However, ‘Chettiars’ from here went around the world to try their luck while their families stayed back in the native villages. Many of them made big fortunes and were even given the titles of Rajas. Several of them are the leaders in the industry in
Tamilnadu.
Whenever they made good money they built huge palatial houses in the middle of nowhere and adorned them with Chinese tiles, fine woodwork and decorated them with beautiful paintings.
 Same way the ‘marwaris’ of Shekhavati went to different parts of the country while their families stayed back. They built palatial painted havelis for them. It is only in the present generation that wives have started joining their husbands to far off places. Even so, all important functions are still conducted in the family house in the native place. That is the custom with Chettiars too. They conduct all weddings and special functions in
Chettinad.
I had the pleasure to visit ‘Naval-Garh’ my first inspection destination. Here, I saw the beautiful ‘Poddar’s haveli’ which has been donated by the family to run a high school. It is a large building and contained several polling booths. I am certain this must have been the most beautiful polling station in the country. Another polling station situated in the local college was also in a Haveli belonging to the Poddars. It was gifted to Mahatma Gandhi, on whose behest the building was converted into a college. ‘Naval-Garh’ was a virtual visual treat to my eyes on the very first day of my election duty.
I also visited the palace of ‘Naval-Garg’ royal family and had tea with the ‘Raja Sahib’.
To Be Continued.
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