What are your memories of the first meeting with Fateh Singh Rathore?
The first time I visited Ranthambhore with my father was in February 1983. Fateh Singh Rathore, the Field Director, was away, attending an International Crane Conference at the Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur. We had heard about him through articles in Sanctuary Magazine written by Valmik Thapar, but had never met him. He returned to Ranthambhore after we had been in the park for three days. My first sight of him was watching him interact with his forest guards near the park gates, as we drove up to leave for the day, having just seen our first wild tiger in Ranthambhore. Soon, he turned his attention to us, and he asked us about our accommodation. In those days, Ranthambhore was barely known, and there were few stay options. We had hoped to be allowed to stay at Jogi Mahal, an idyllic rest house on the banks of Padam Talao, near the park’s entrance. But in his absence, his staff didn’t oblige. So, we had to stay at an unhygienic lodge in the bazaar. Although we were strangers, Fateh told us to bring our bags over the next morning, to live at Jogi Mahal. From then on, he drove us around the park in his vehicle, introducing us to his forest with pride. We had five more days, and by the end of that week, he declared that we were part of his Ranthambhore family, and so we continued to be forever, afterwards.