Plans for first civilian academy proposed at Jhunjhunu dist hangs fire

Plans of the British Horse Society (BHS) to support the first civilian equestrian academy in Rajasthan have been inordinately delayed due to official inaction. The Jhunjhunu district administration has failed to complete the formalities for land allotment due to which signing of the MoU with BHS has been delayed as the land allotment issue is still hanging fire. 

The academy was planned in Dundlod village in the Shekhawati region to train horse riders and jockeys for a recognised degree in the subject. Recently, the secretary general of Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), Colonel Sirpratap Singh also gave his nod for the academy to be recognised by the EFI, but the district administration is yet to get cracking on the issue. 

In February 2008, an equestrian mission from UK had visited India and out of places including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi, Jodhpur and Jaipur, selected Dundlod as the best location for an equestrian academy to be managed and run by experts of the BHS. The delegation met the secretary for sports and the collector of Jhunjhunu and conveyed their willingness to associate with India's first civilian equestrian academy in Rajasthan at Dundlod in Jhunjhunu. 

"The BHS has assured us of full cooperation from their side. We are expected to sign the MoU with them in the last week of May this year if the government allots the land for the academy," said Raghuvendra Singh Dundlod, general secretary of Equestrian Federation of India (EHFI).

India's only equestrian academy is located in Meerut. It is run by the Indian Army and civilians do not have any access to training. 

"A large number of riders from Shekhawati region seek jobs in the Middle East at the stables of sultans and sheikhs for their livelihood. The academy at the Shekhawati region it will give an opportunity to create more medal-winning sportpersons besides creating job opportunities for people in India and abroad," said Devendra Singh Nawalgarh, a local stud farm owner. 

The proposal for the academy was approved by the state government back in January, 2006.

Bureaucratic tangles

The academy was planned in Dundlod village in the Shekhawati region.

The Jhunjhunu district administration failed to complete the formalities for land allotment.

Following the delay, signing of the MoU with BHS has been stalled.

Arvind Singh/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication