This article is about the tributary of the Ganges. For the distributary in West Bengal, see Bhāgirathi-Hooghly.

Bhāgīrathī River
River
Sacred bathing ghats on Bhagirathi River at Gangotri
Name origin: "Bhagirathi" (Sanskrit, literally, "caused by Bhagiratha")
Country	India
State	Uttarakhand
Region	Garhwal division
District	Uttar Kashi District, Tehri District
Source	Gaumukh (gou, cow + mukh, face), about 18 km (11.2 mi) from the town of Gangotri
- elevation	3,892 m (12,769 ft)
Source confluence	Alaknanda River
Mouth	Ganges
- location	Devprayag, Uttarakhand, India
- elevation	475 m (1,558 ft)
Length	205 km (127 mi)
Basin	6,921 km2 (2,672 sq mi)
Discharge
- average	257.78 m3/s (9,103 cu ft/s)
- max	3,800 m3/s (134,196 cu ft/s)
Map showing the Himalayan headwaters of the Bhagirathi river. The numbers in parentheses refer to the altitude in meters.
[1]

The Bhāgīrathī is a turbulent Himalayan river in the state of Uttarakhand, India, that is the source stream of the Ganges—the major river of the Gangetic plain of Northern India and the holy river of Hinduism.

Etymology[link]

The word "Bhagirathi" (Sanskrit, literally, "caused by Bhagiratha") refers to a mythological Sagar Dynasty prince who, to gain the release his 60,000 great-uncles from the curse of saint Kapila, brought the goddess Ganga in the form of the river Ganges, from the heavens to the earth.^[2]

Course[link]

The headwaters of the Bhagirathi are formed at Gaumukh (elevation 3,892 metres (12,769 ft)), at the foot of the Gangotri glacier and Khatling glaciers in the Garhwal Himalaya. It is then joined by its tributaries; these are, in order from the source:

• Kedar Ganga at Gangotri (elevation 3,049 m (10,003 ft)),
• Jadh Ganga at Bhaironghati (elevation 2,650 m (8,690 ft)),
• Kakora Gadand Jalandhari Gad near Harsil (elevation 2,745 m (9,006 ft)),
• Siyan Gad near Jhala (elevation 2,575 m (8,448 ft)),
• Asi Ganganear Uttarkashi (elevation 1,158 m (3,799 ft)),
• Bhilangna River near Old Tehri (elevation 755 m (2,477 ft)).

The Bhilangna itself rises at the foot of the Khatling Glacier (elevation 3,717 m (12,195 ft)) approximately 50 km (31 mi) south of Gaumukh.

The river flows from its source for 205 km (127 mi) before meeting the Alaknanda River at an elevation of 475 m (1,558 ft) in the town of Devprayag. Downstream of this confluence, considered holy by Hindus, the river is known as the Ganga Ji, or Ganges River by westerners. The controversial Tehri dam lies at the confluence of the Bhāgirathi and the Bhilangna, at 30°22′32″N 78°28′48″E / 30.37556°N 78.48°E / 30.37556; 78.48, near Tehri.

Bhāgirathi-Hooghly River behind Hazarduari Palace Murshidabad of West Bengal.

Chaukhamba I is the highest point of the Bhagirathi basin.

• 

  The turbulent Bhāgīrathī as it enters Devprayag.

• 

  The Bhagirathi (foreground) on its way to meet the sediment-laden Alaknanda river, shown entering on the left, at Devprayag, and to flow on as the Ganges

• 

  Another view of the confluence of the Bhāgirathi (right) and the sediment-rich Alaknanda (left) at Devprayag.

• 

  Tehri Dam, the 5th tallest dam in the world

Dams[link]

There are 18 dams along the Bhāgirathi River, either in operation, under construction or planned. These are, in order from the source:

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Wilson,, W. (1860). OCLC 58410561 A summer ramble in the Himalayas: with sporting adventures in the Vale of Cashmere. London: Hurst and Blackett. http://worldcat.org/oclc/58410561 OCLC 58410561.  available on microfilm

This article incorporates information from the German Wikipedia. Neumann, J (1937). OCLC 35036471 Im heiligen Lande der Gangesquellen (In the Holy Lands of the Source of the Ganges). Neudamm, Germany. http://worldcat.org/oclc/35036471 OCLC 35036471. 

• Sharma, Man Mohan (1997). OCLC 4547622 Through the Valley of Gods: Travels in the Central Himalayas (2 ed.). New Delhi: Vision Books. http://worldcat.org/wcpa/oclc/4547622 OCLC 4547622. 

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bhagirathi River

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Ashok Gehlot is the 21st & 23rd Chief Minister of the state of Rajasthan, India.

Personal[link]

Ashok Gehlot, son of Lachman Singh Gehlot, was born on 3 May 1951 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. A Science and Law graduate, Gehlot also holds a MA degree in Economics. He is married to Sunita Gehlot and has a son and a daughter. He is a Hindu and a member of the Indian National Congress (INC) party.^[1]

Political profile[link]

Active in politics and social service ever since his student life, Gehlot was elected for the first time to the 7th Lok Sabha (1980–84) from Jodhpur Parliamentary Constituency in 1980. Gehlot has represented Jodhpur Parliamentary Constituency in the 8th Lok Sabha (1984–1989) 10th Lok Sabha (1991–1996), 11th Lok Sabha (1996–1998), and 12th Lok Sabha (1998–1999).

Elected from Sardarpura (Jodhpur) Assembly Constituency, he became member of the 11th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in February 1999. Gehlot was again re-elected from the same Assembly Constituency on 4 December 2003 for the 12th Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha and on 8 December 2008 for the 13th Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha.

Union Minister[link]

Ashok Gehlot served in the Union Cabinet of former Indian Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi P.V. Narsimha Rao. He has served in the Union Cabinet three times. He remained Union Deputy Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation from 2 September 1982 to 7 February 1984, when Mrs. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India. Thereafter, he became the Dy. Minister of Sports. He served the Sports Ministry from 7 February 1984 to 31 October 1984 and again from 12 November 1984 to 31 December 1984. His He was elevated to the rank of State Minister. Gehlot served as the Union Minister of State, Tourism and Civil Aviation from 31 December 1984 to 26 September 1985. Later, he was made the Union Minister of State, Textiles with Independent Charge - a portfolio held by the Prime Minister himself. Gehlot held this portfolio from 21 June 1991 to 18 January 1993.

Minister, Government of Rajasthan[link]

Gehlot served for a short period of time, as the Home and PHED Minister, Government of Rajasthan from June 1989 to November 1989. Still Know

AICC/CWC[link]

Gehlot was made General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee on 17 July 2004. He held this post up to 18 February 2009. Being a devoted and dedicated worker of the Congress party, Gehlot was made Member (Special Invitee), Congress Working Committee as well as In charge of Himachal Pradesh and Chattisgarh States. He held this responsibility from January 2004 to July 2004.

RPCC Chief[link]

Ashok Gehlot became the President of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee at the young age of 34. His first tenure as the RPCC Chief lasted from September 1985 to June 1989. He became RPCC Chief the Second time on 1 December 1994 and held this post until 14 April 1999.

Gehlot strengthened the Youth wing of Congress party as the President of Rajasthan NSUI from 1973 to 1979. He served the City District Congress Committee, Jodhpur as its President from 1979 to 1982. He was also the General Secretary of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (I) in 1982.

Philanthropy[link]

Gehlot worked in the refugee camps at Bangaon and 24 Parganas districts (WB) during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. Inspired by his keen interest in Social service, Gehlot rendered his services for the development of slums and jhuggi areas and actively took part in camps organized by Tarun Shanti Sena at Sevagram, Wardha, Aurangabad, Indore and several places. He contributed to the extension of adult education through Nehru Yuva Kendra. He has been actively associated with Kumar Sahitya Parishad as well as Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Book Bank, Jodhpur.

Gehlot is the founder president of Bharat Seva Sansthan . Dedicated to the social service, the Sansthan arranges for ambulance services and free books for the poor students through Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Book Bank. The Sansthan has established a reading room in Jodhpur at Rajiv Gandhi Seva Sadan.

Gehlot is also the Chairman of Rajiv Gandhi Study Circle, New Delhi which caters to the interests of university and college students and teachers across the country.

Lok Sabha Legislative Experience[link]

He had been member of the Public Accounts Committee (Lok Sabha) from 1980 to 1982. He was also Member of the Consultative Committee on Communication (10th Lok Sabha). He served as Member, Standing Committee on Railways (10th and 11th Lok Sabha) besides being member of the Consultative Committee on External Affairs (11th Lok Sabha).

Chief Minister of Rajasthan[link]

Ashok Gehlot's first tenure of Chief Ministership (1-12-1998 to 8-12-2003) was characterized by his supporters as successful for a system of "unprecedented drought management, power generation, infrastructure development, employment generation, industrial and tourism promotion, financial management and good governance". In the 2003, Rajasthan State Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) elections Gehlot's Congress Party lost the vote and Vasundhara Raje Scindia, the state President of the primary opposition party, the Bhartiya Janata Party, was sworn in as Chief Minister of the state.

A popular slogan for Gehlot has been "Save Water, Save Electricity, Educate All" "पानी बचाओ, बिजली बचाओ, सबको पढ़ाओ."

Ashok Gehlot was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan for his second non-consecutive term on 13 December 2008.

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot is in the eye of a storm over allegations of favouring companies that employed the services of his son, Vaibhav Gehlot. The Gehlot government allegedly awarded contracts worth several crores of rupees to Om Metals and Triton Hotels, which had hired Vaibhav Gehlot as their legal consultant.^[2]

More charges of nepotism have been levied against Ashok Gehlot. It is said that he favoured the a real estate company Shouri Constructions, where his daughter Sonia Gehlot and her husband Gautam Ankhand are directors. Gautam Ankhand said, "We are staying there not because we are shareholders or directors, but because of our relations."

Gehlot allegedly allocated the contract to renovate the famous heritage area of Jal Mahal - an area worth rupees 2000 crores. Shourie Constructions was earlier part of the real estate giant Kalpataru group. What has raised many eyebrows is that a lease of 99 years at the rate of just rupees 2.5 crores per annum had been granted to Kalpataru for renovating 432 acres of the Jal Mahal complex.^[3]

Although Mr Gehlot denied this by saying ""The allegations are completely baseless and false. I am against nepotism, and I never extend any undue favour to my family members or others. Those who are close to me know this fact very well," ^[4]

Positions held[link]

According to a biographical article published by the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Secretariat, Gehlot has held the following positions:^[1]

Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha):

• 1980 - 1984 - Seventh Lok Sabha
• 1984 - 1989 - Eighth Lok Sabha
• 1991 - 1996 - Tenth Lok Sabha
• 1996 - 1998 - Eleventh Lok Sabha
• 1998 - 1999 - Twelfth Lok Sabha

Others:

• 1980 - 1982 - Member, Public Accounts Committee, Lok Sabha
• 1982 - 1983 - Union Deputy Minister, Department of Tourism
• 1983 - 1984 - Union Deputy Minister, Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation
• 1984 - 1984 - Union Deputy Minister, Department of Sports
• 1984 - 1985 - Union Minister of State, Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation
• 1989 - 1989 - Minister, Department of Home and PHED, Govt. of Rajasthan
• 1991 - 1993 - Union Minister of State, Department of Textiles (Independent Charge)
• 1991 - 1996 - Consultative Committee on Communication ( Lok Sabha )
• 1991 - 1998 - Standing Committee on Railway (10th & 11th Lok Sabha)
• 1996 - 1998 - Consultative Committee on External Affairs ( Lok Sabha )
• 1998 - 2003 - Chief Minister, Rajasthan
• 2008–present - Chief Minister, Rajasthan

Other positions held:

• 1974 - 1979 - President, Rajasthan NSUI
• 1979 - 1982 - President, City District Congress Committee, Jodhpur
• 1982 - General Secretary, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee
• 1985 - 1989, 1994–97, 1997 - 1999 - President, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee

References[link]

External links[link]

• All About Mr. Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister, Rajasthan, INDIA Website : www.cmo.rajasthan.gov.in
• Ashok Gehlot on TOI Ashok Gehlot took everyone by surprise earlier this month when he decided to clamp down on Pravin Togadia of the VHP. The firebrand Hindutva leader was arrested for distributing trishuls and making inflammatory speeches. In a conversation with Neelabh Mishra, the chief minister defends his government’s action: [1]
• [2]

v t e Current Chief Ministers of Indian states (list)     Andhra Pradesh: Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy Arunachal Pradesh: Nabam Tuki Assam: Tarun Gogoi Bihar: Nitish Kumar Chhattisgarh: Raman Singh Goa: Manohar Parrikar Gujarat: Narendra Modi Haryana: Bhupinder Singh Hooda Himachal Pradesh: Prem Kumar Dhumal Jammu and Kashmir: Omar Abdullah Jharkhand: Arjun Munda Karnataka: D. V. Sadananda Gowda Kerala: Oommen Chandy Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chauhan Maharashtra: Prithviraj Chavan Manipur: Okram Ibobi Singh Meghalaya: Mukul Sangma Mizoram: Pu Lalthanhawla Nagaland: Neiphiu Rio Orissa: Naveen Patnaik Punjab: Parkash Singh Badal Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot Sikkim: Pawan Kumar Chamling Tamil Nadu: Jayalalithaa Tripura: Manik Sarkar Uttar Pradesh: Akhilesh Yadav Uttarakhand: Vijay Bahuguna West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee Delhi: Sheila Dikshit Pondicherry: N. Rangaswamy