Chamba: the millennium year

Chamba town this year marks 1000 years of its existence. It was in 999 AD that Raja Sahil Verma, after his daughter Champavati in compliance of her wish, selected the present site of the town on the banks of the Ravi. This landmark period is unfortunately passing by without even a flutter.A couple of years ago, the state government had announced plans to celebrate the completion of the millennium by Chamba. Certain committees were formed to decide on the course of celebrations. These committees never went into motion. The reason was that these committees were created at the time of a Congress government in the state, and today a BJP-led alliance is ruling the area. The administration has neither abolished the old committees to form new ones, nor directed the old committees to become operational, and give their views. Soon the millennium year will become a thing of the past.

The oldest monument in Chamba is the Chameshri temple, 1000 years old. At one time, the temple was forbidden to male population for access, but today none of the old temples have any restrictions. The territory of Chamba in the past 1000 years saw its golden age between the 17th and 19th centuries, as enlightened rulers having access to knowledge of what was happening in Punjab kept the population apprised of the social and cultural developments in the rest of the country. Artists flourished and the Basholi, Kangra and Chamba schools of painting prospered. Stone carvings were undertaken and temples bearing the names of various goddesses came up.

An unusual activity during this period was to provide clean drinking water to trekkers in the mountain areas, and every fresh water spring was properly protected, and marked out with sand stone-sculptured structures.

Chamba valley has an exclusive charm. The local saying is ‘Chamba achamba’ means ‘Chamba the charming’.

Today, Chamba town remains isolated, a situation created by the shifting of the railhead from Pathankot to Jammu and various other factors. There is no worthwhile economic activity. Yet the sprinkling of tourist traffic is noticeable.

The development of the Chamera project in the early seventies and the Baira-Siul project have not contributed to the economic growth of the area. There is only one decent hotel, with Circuit House still retaining its imperial charm.

To celebrate the Chamba millennium, we feel the state government should find ways and means to invite nationally progressive agencies to take a special interest in the area.

The railways should be requested by the state government to initiate a survey to bring a broad gauge line from Pathankot to Chamba town using the Ravi as a convenient access into the inner mountains. The Government of India should consider providing a special grant to the state government to modernise and regulate development in the town.

GAUTAM KAUL
New Delhi

Seeking ban on smoking

We celebrate “World No-Tobacco Day” with great fanfare once a year and highlight the fact that more than eight lakh people in India die due to the harmful effects of tobacco every year. The figure perhaps includes even those who have never touched a cigarette or bidi but are forced to inhale the smoke released by the smokers in buses, trains, parks, market places and even while walking on roadsides.

While it may not be possible for the government to place a blanket ban on the cultivation of tobacco and the manufacture of cigarettes and bidis, as recommended by the Indian Medical Association, at this stage, there should be no problem in prohibiting smoking in offices, buses, trains, parks and so on, at least to save the non-smokers from suffering for no fault of their own.

It would be interesting to know that such a ban has been existing for the past so many years in the developed countries like the USA and Canada. Even the aeroplanes owned by foreign airlines are required to enforce this ban so long as these are flying within the American airspace.

A mere ban on the sale of cigarettes and bidis at the railway stations, as recently announced by the Railway Minister, is not going to solve the problem. Smoking must be banned at all public places.

DALIP SINGH GHUMAN
Chandigarh

Neglected roads

The monsoon is expected to arrive in the last week of June or in the first week of July. It is the duty of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation to make early arrangements for the rain water to get drained out. Road berms must be repaired and uncovered manholes provided with covers. Garbage, stones and other unwanted materials must be removed from the roads. It is seen that these materials sometimes block the flow of water.

It has also been observed that in some sectors the general condition of the roads is much better, still the carpeting of these roads is undertaken. On the other hand, the V6 roads are in the worst condition. Efforts must be made to improve these roads.

On January 8 a former Mayor and the present Mayor were requested to improve the condition of the V6 roads in Sector 46-A. They promised to make arrangements for the carpeting on the roads. Uptil now even the patchwork on the roads has not been done.

JASWANT SINGH
Chandigarh

Erratic power supply

We were looking forward to having 24-hour power supply from July 1, 1999, as per the assurance given by the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal. However, at the moment the power supply position is much worse than in the past. There is a power cut without any notice anytime ranging from five minutes to a few hours. There is no response from the Electricity Department to enquiries in this connection as the person on duty at the enquiry desk keeps the receiver off, and one gets only the engaged tone.

It is also interesting that the power cut is applied in different locations in Ambala according to the whims of the person on duty. We expect that there will be regular power supply, and the general public will be given prior information about a power cut and its duration.

LAKSHMI SAGAR
Ambala