An old man, almost in his 80s, sits by forgotten stepwells of Jodhpur. Someone throws a plastic bag and he immediately picks it up, throwing it in a dustbin far away from the stepwells. Most travellers arrive in Jodhpur, the Blue City of Rajasthan, with a bucket list. It generally includes a trip to Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, and colourful bazaars. But years ago, a visitor from Ireland saw centuries-old stepwells flooded with plastic, silt and neglect. This is the story of Caron Rawnsley (now in his 80s), an Irish national affectionately known across Jodhpur as “Pagal Baba or Saab” (crazy uncle/sir). Today, the man has become a local hero. And his story is not just about conservation but an emotional one too. The emotional side of his story Rawnsley did not come to India as a conservationist. As per several media reports, he came in 2014 to reconnect with his late mother’s memories of India who had spent much of her childhood in Kashmir and had relatives in Jodhpur during the British era.His was mostly a planned emotional trip. But it later became something much bigger. Walking through Jodhpur’s historic lanes, Rawnsley was stunned by the city’s magnificent baoris (stepwells) and jhalras (stepped reservoirs). But he saw these living heritage sites flooded with plastic, garbage and what not. It saddened him to see such ancient structures reduced to dumping zones because of constant neglect. Anand Mahindra’s praised his workHe saw the poor conditions of Rajasthan’s historic water heritage and decided to revive them; one stepwell at a time. Since then, he has been working towards keeping these baolis clean and his remarkable work even earned public praise from industrialist Anand Mahindra. He took to X and posted: “They nicknamed 80 year old Irishman, Caron Rawnsley, ‘Paagal Saab’ for his obsession with cleaning Jodhpur’s Bawris & Jhalaras. Fortunately, today, you don’t need to be either ‘paagal’ or ‘phirang’ to devote yourself to reviving India’s stepwells. Earlier this year, I had posted myself about Chand Baori and how well it was being maintained. Across the country, pioneers like Rajendra Singh and Kalpana Ramesh, organisations such as Tarun Bharat Sangh and Project Bawri, & countless local volunteers & village communities are restoring these extraordinary structures as living symbols of both heritage & water security. But I still want to salute Paagal Saab Caron, for his love of Jodhpur and his selflessness and passion for our heritage. May his work never cease…”From Pagal Saab to Jodhpur’s ‘Aquaman’Rawnsley, just armed with little more than a wooden stick and his non-stop determination, he began removing plastic waste, weeds and debris from these stepwells. Year after year, he continued returning to the same sites, inspiring local residents and volunteers to join him.Today, locals call him Jodhpur’s “Aquaman.” Over the years, he has helped revive several historic water bodies, including the famous Mayla Bagh ka Jhalra and other traditional reservoirs.About Rajasthan’s stepwells
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
While people think of Rajasthan as the state of forts and palaces, these ancient stepwells are equally fascinating. These are fine examples of engineering, architecture and sustainable water management.Many of Jodhpur’s historic stepwells remain hidden inside narrow lanes that tourists often overlook. Visiting them offers a quieter, more authentic glimpse into the city’s history beyond its famous landmarks.Interaction with Diya KumariPerhaps the most touching moment in Rawnsley’s journey came during a recent interaction with Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari.She thanked him for his work and Rawnsley said, “My country is India. Now I’m a part of India.”A lesson for every traveller
The Aquaman of Jodhpur
While millions travel every year looking for peace, beauty and heritage, very few leave those places better than they found them. Rawnsley’s story is inspiring. It inspires travellers to be thoughtful while travelling and leaving with good memories and not plastic bottles. Caron Rawnsley arrived in Jodhpur in search of his mother’s past. But he never went back and decided to be a part of something the world will remember.
