‘I want to salute…’: Anand Mahindra is impressed by 80-year-old Irishman who spent a decade cleaning Jodhpur's forgotten stepwells with his bare hands

Keeping our surroundings clean and preserving our shared heritage is fundamentally a responsibility that belongs to every citizen. Yet, modern life often makes us indifferent, and we routinely fail to protect the very spaces that define our history. We pass by neglected monuments, ignoring our civic duties while expecting others to step in. Every now and then, however, an extraordinary individual comes along to shame our collective apathy with their sheer dedication. One such remarkable story of selfless service has recently caught the attention of social media users across the globe, even deeply impressing Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra.

Anand Mahindra reacts to ‘Pagal Saab’

Anand Mahindra recently shared an inspiring video by The Better India on his X handle, spotlighting the incredible journey of an 80-year-old Irishman Caron Rawnsley. Known locally as "Pagal Saab" due to his unwavering, almost obsessive commitment, this octogenarian has spent more than a decade cleaning the old, ruined, and forgotten stepwells of Jodhpur.


Reacting to the video, Anand Mahindra noted that the locals affectionately nicknamed the elderly Irishman, Caron Rawnsley, "Paagal Saab" because of his deep obsession with reviving Jodhpur’s traditional water bodies, known as Bawris and Jhalaras.

Anand Mahindra on the importance of conservation

Reflecting on the current state of conservation, Anand Mahindra mentioned that in this day and age, a person does not actually need to be deemed eccentric or be a foreigner to dedicate themselves to bringing India’s historic stepwells back to life. He recalled his past social media posts about Chand Baori, where he had praised how beautifully the site was being maintained.


Furthermore, Anand Mahindra highlighted that across India, pioneering conservationists, countless local volunteers and rural communities are actively restoring these marvelous architectural wonders, transforming them into thriving symbols of cultural heritage and water security. He expressed his profound desire to salute Paagal Saab Caron for his deep affection for Jodhpur, as well as his selflessness and intense passion for Indian heritage, concluding with a wish that his impactful work never ceases.

Once a tourist, now a saviour

According to The Better India, Caron Rawnsley became the most unexpected savior for the historic water structures of the desert city. The elderly Irishman has spent over ten years relentlessly cleaning Jodhpur’s ancient stepwells with his bare hands. His mission originally began when he first visited these architectural marvels as a standard tourist.

These stepwells were once considered sacred spaces that sustained the desert population for centuries, serving not merely as water reservoirs but as vital community hubs celebrating local culture. Unfortunately, modern lifestyle changes caused the public to neglect them, leaving them filled with waste. Seeing a unique beauty amidst this decay, Caron Rawnsley chose to devote his life to restoring them. He physically cleaned these structures himself, breathing fresh life into ten different stepwells, ranging from Rambauri to Gulab Sagar.

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Pagal Saab’s heartfelt request and message

Caron Rawnsley requested the public to wake up to the importance of these structures and utilize them to educate future generations about environmental care, especially since climate change will inevitably impact everyone. Eventually, local media coverage amplified his efforts, bringing in much-needed support, trust, funding, and volunteers.

Now past the age of 80, Caron Rawnsley remains driven entirely by a passion for preservation rather than a desire for fame. He concluded with a message that anyone can work toward the betterment of any society, regardless of their age, nationality, or educational background.