HP documentation project at standstill
SHIMLA, Dec 6 — The first-ever move of documentation of antiques in the tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh has virtually failed to take off with almost all ancient monasteries refusing to allow photography of their precious possessions.

6.5 lakh children immunised in HP
SHIMLA, Dec 6 — About 6.50 lakh children were administered anti-polio drops in the state today.The pulse polio campaign, which is in its fourth year, was formally launched by Mr P.K. Dhumal, the Chief Minister at a function organised in the town hall.

Tributes paid to Ambedkar
SHIMLA, Dec 6 — Tributes were paid to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his 42nd death anniversary today. Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, garlanded the statue of Dr Ambedkar at Ambedkar Chowk here.

HP documentation project at standstill
From S.P.Sharma
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 6 — The first-ever move of documentation of antiques in the tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh has virtually failed to take off with almost all ancient monasteries refusing to allow photography of their precious possessions.

The archaeological wing of the Culture Department had taken up the documentation of antiques in the possession of monasteries and individuals in 1992 when a number of thefts of such items were reported in the tribal belt.The theft of 12 antique idols from the Kamroo temple in Kinnaur district had also made it necessary to document such articles.

It is learnt that important monasteries, including Key, Hansa, Losar, Chicham, Kibar, Kungri and Kamroo, have not allowed photography of their possessions. Many of these areas were opened to tourists without obtaining any inner line permit.

The tribal areas are a treasure trove of antiques which have a very high value in the market.

Individual lamas residing in villages falling under these monasteries have also not allowed officials to see their rare possessions despite efforts of the local authorities.

A house-to-house survey was done in Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts to photograph and register rare articles.

The archaeological wing has been able to photograph only about 1,400 antiques during the last six years.It is learnt that the documentation project has been at a standstill since 1994. Officials have been visiting the tribal areas every summer but their efforts to persuade the heads of monasteries to allow photography of their possessions have been vain.

They have so far been able to photograph mostly thankas and stucos. Residents of the tribal villages are reported to be in possession of antiques, but will allow their photography only after their respective monasteries have got the documentation done.

Officials saw a ray of hope when the head lama of the Key monastery, Guru Rinpoche, returned to his native place in Spiti from abroad for a few days.However, he asked for a copy of the act under which the documentation was being done and later did not say anything about permitting photography.

They camped for two days in the Kungri monastery to get permission for photography. However, the quorum of the lamas to discuss the issue was not complete both days and the officials returned.

For documenting the precious possessions of the Kamroo fort, permission has to be obtained from the local "devta".

Sources say the monastery at Pooh has also not responded to the request for taking photographs of its antiques.

The Hindu temples at Kalpa, Chitkul and Sangra in Kinnaur district have also not allowed photography of their rare articles.

The areas so far covered by the photography project are Tabo, Lari, the Sangla valley and parts of Lahaul.

It is learnt that the head lama of the 996 AD Tabo monastery,Sonam Wangdue,was in possession of eight precious bronze idols dating back to the 11th century.

A thanka in possession of Dorjee Chhering of Losar village is said to be rare in its theme. It depicts "Tshogshing", an assemblage of divinities of the pantheon,probably arranged according to rank,often called an assembly of gods.

6.5 lakh children immunised in HP
From Tribune Reporters

SHIMLA, Dec 6 — About 6.50 lakh children were administered anti-polio drops in the state today.

The pulse polio campaign, which is in its fourth year, was formally launched by Mr P.K. Dhumal, the Chief Minister at a function organised in the town hall.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the state was sparing no effort in effectively implementing the national polio eradication programme.

Mr J.P. Nadda, the Health Minister, who was also present on the occasion, also administered the drops to children. He said in all about 4,500 polio protection immunisation booths had been set up in the state. The children would be administered polio drops on January 17 also. He urged the people to ensure that children were covered on both days.

The campaign has already been completed in the snow-bound areas where polio drops were administered on October 6 and November 16.

MANDI: Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, Governor of Himachal Pradesh, today launched the pulse polio campaign from the historic Sunken garden of this town. She administered anti-polio drops to some children. A Red Cross fair was also organised on the occasion.

She stressed the need for wiping out the scourge of polio from the country and ensure that no children was handicapped because of the disease.

Later, addressing a Red Cross function, the Governor lauded the role of the Red Cross Society in mitigating the pain of the suffering humanity.

HAMIRPUR: As many as 46,000 children were administered anti-polio vaccines at 268 booths set up by the district administration for this purpose. While 251 posts were in the rural areas, 17 were in the urban areas.

According to an official spokesman the programme was a grand success. He said people came in large numbers from morning till the closing time to get their children immunised from the dreaded disease.

Mrs Urmila Thakur, the HP Parliamentary Secretary gave drops to children at the local Housing Board Colony.

The spokesman said that the voluntary agencies like the Rotary and Inner Wheel Club did a commendable job in the town to make this programme a success.

Shimla staff stir tomorrow
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 6 — The Shimla unit of the Himachal Pradesh Employees Confederation will hold a rally here on December 8 to draw the attention of the government towards its demands.

Mr Arun Dev General Secretary of the confederation, said they had submitted a demand charter to the government on November 2 but there had been no follow-up action on it.

Tributes paid to Ambedkar
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 6 — Tributes were paid to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his 42nd death anniversary today.

Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, garlanded the statue of Dr Ambedkar at Ambedkar Chowk here.

Mr J.P. Nadda, Health Minister, Mr Roop Dass Kashyap, Minister of State for Urban Development, Mr Manoj Kumar, Mayor, Shimla Municipal Corporation, and councillors of the corporation also paid tributes to Baba Saheb on the occasion.

The Chief Minister reiterated the government's resolve to uplift the weaker sections.

He said the government had started the Ambedkar meritorious scholarship scheme from this year to ensure that deserving students of the Scheduled Castes were not deprived of higher education for want of resources.