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Free for all church
Missing links of sewerage system
Muscular dystrophy patients attend summer camp
Where temple is a meeting point
Dagshai: a shadow of the past
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With the construction of Kol dam hydropower project ready to take off, the historic hot water spring Tattpani and the ancient Narsingh temple are likely to be submerged by the Sutlej, reports Pratibha Chauhan Some may call it decimation of century-old culture while others may term it the price one has to pay for development. The historic hot-water sulphur springs at Tattpani, along with the ancient Narsingh temple will be lost forever as the entire hamlet along with many other villages will be submerged under the waters of the Sutlej, paving the way for the construction of a dam of the 800 MW Kol dam hydro-power project. Construction activity to enable relocation is in full swing in Sunni and adjoining areas, which are above the level of 646 mt, the height of the proposed dam. There are a handful, who are happy with the big money they have received as compensation for their house and land but for the majority getting uprooted from their homes, where generations have lived is painful. “I am praying to God that my end should come before the dam water floods this area as it is impossible for me to imagine a life elsewhere,” says 84-year-old Mahant Salig Ram, the priest of the Narsingh temple, who wishes there should have been a Medha Patekar for them too. He rues the fact that people did not oppose the construction of the dam, which will bring the end of an era, which cannot be revived with the compensation money, however, huge it may be. While for the temple priest it is the religious sanctity of the place that matters the most, there are others engaged in tourism related activity, who are clueless as to how they would start life afresh at a new place which is alien to them. Besides the locals flocking Tattapani to pay obeisance at the ancient temple and bathe in the curative sulphur waters, the place has emerged as a major tourist destination, a must on the itinerary of tourists visiting Shimla. “Being located on the banks of Sutlej, with hot water springs flowing by, my restaurant and guest house was doing quite well but now I will have to start from a scratch,” says Kushal Chand, who has been provided with four biswas of land at Sunni by the government. The new concrete bridge at a much elevated height, looking down upon the old road and the waters of the Sutlej flowing below is a constant reminder of the times to come. The old Tattapani bazaar too will submerge under water, as there is more hustle-bustle at the new market, which will be the main centre after the dam waters flood the area. According to legend, Tattapani owes its existence to Parshuram, who carried with him the sulphur waters from Manikaran in Kullu to the present site. Rishi Jamdangni was holding a yagya where King Sahasarbahu was also present and on seeing the kamdhenu cow of the sage the king got tempted and asked for it. As the Rishi refused to part with the cow, the king decided to take it forcefully. It was then Rishi Jamdangni called his son, Parshuram, who was at that time bathing in the hot water springs at Manikaran in Kullu. Seeing his father in trouble Parshuram immediately presented himself and the place where the water from his dhoti trickled down led to emergence of hot water springs, giving the place its name, Tattpani. Notwithstanding the damage caused by the raging waters of the Sutlej, which has several times washed away houses in and around Tattpani, the residents would love to carry on living here. The damaged restaurant of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), still precariously hanging along the banks of the river is a reminder of the ferocity of the river that wreaked havoc in 2000. Many other houses had to be abandoned following the damage caused by the gushing waters of the river but the locals feel this is the peril of living along the banks. “One can construct a house and carry the material things with you but you cannot possibly transplant trees, old temples, and other small things which have been created over centuries and are part and parcel of our daily life,” says Sarla Devi, sitting under the huge pipal tree in her compound. She says she will miss each and everything right from the tulsi plant in her courtyard to the cowshed. With the National Hydro-Power Corporation (NHPC) still not giving a deadline for the evacuation of the area, people are hoping that work on the project is delayed for as long as possible. Majority who would be rendered houseless with the coming of the dam have got chunks of land and others have received 80 per cent of the compensation but the pain of leaving old memories, where generations have lived is unbearable. The emotions and pain that the people are feeling are all too palpable as they plan for a life ahead, not too sure of the times to come.
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Hillside view
Scientists have reportedly discovered that lying down reduces the concentration of noradrenalin (a stress-produced hormone in the brain), thereby promoting “clear thinking”. When people stand up, more hormone is produced— interfering with brain-cells, and reducing their “attention to detail and reasoning”. Volunteers undergoing the test, solved anagrams three seconds faster while lying down than in the more formal position. Famous characters like Perry Mason (the lawyer) preferred pacing up and down while thinking. Winston Churchill, it is said, had his best thoughts in the bath, smoking a cigar. Many like me get their ideas on their morning walks. A few, of course, while sitting on the big pot waiting to lighten themselves! Most of our folks here, I suspect, get their act together while mall’ing. That’s where you spot your friends, enemies and characters that make or mar your destiny. But if this hormone business is right, restaurants there may slightly re-do their windows and furniture. Extra charge for facilities for horizontally watching the malling groups (on the sly) and doing a bit of cool thinking! Bill Gates made a statement in May that he wished he were not the world’s richest man because he “did not like the attention”, and that “nothing good comes out of it”. A recent piece of research supports such feelings. It also brings good tidings to guess who— again to the lazy bums! You need not earn more! Nobel Laureate and psychologist Daniel Kahneman and economist Alan Krueger at Princeton University have studied 1,700 working women and found that “higher income played a relatively small role in people’s daily happiness”. The two scientists chose to “measure the happiness levels” of women initially because they are a homogeneous group. People with higher incomes they say, do not necessarily “spend more time in more enjoyable ways”. The women disliked the time spent on long commutes etc for earning more, thereby “sacrificing the best moments” of the day— the time spent on socialising. But the finding could be different in Indian context! Work means transporting your body to office, attending to personal and family matters from there, allowing constipated movement of a few files and papers (necessary evils for justifying the salaries), do a bit of back-biting and petty politicking… In between, you can play cards, do teen peg lagao…These westerners don’t understand the fun of going to office and earning extra bucks (on the sly) for nothing. Bring those women here, Professors, you may never touch this subject again! And you too should come and work here… just to get another prize for God, these
guest-houses “Nai saab, abhi khaana nahin milega…”, answered the chowkidar in an insolent high-pitched voice. “But it’s only 7 p.m. You can get us some simple dinner in a couple of hours”. He nodded indifferently: “Saaman kuch nahin hai, cook bhi nahin hain..”. He admonished us for not ordering dinner well before our arrival there from Shimla and advised us to eat out. However, before 10 p.m. we had a sumptuous dinner served in our room in style— thanks to a bottle-wielding companion who “fixed” the chowkidar appropriately. Such things, I am told, are quite common in many government guesthouses under different departments. Courtesy is the last thing you see in these sifarishi appointees. They are obedient to the local MLA, some important officials, and political troublemakers—- rules don’t apply in catering to their special needs. But guests who land up there (with proper bookings) after a tiresome journey are simply not welcome. The sullen-faced chowkidar looks as though you are a piece of plague from somewhere and says no to every request. The more polite and good you are to him, the greater his insolence. You are the spoilsport in his easy routine— unless you contribute to his merry-making (liquor, meat, chicken) with cronies in the kitchen. …We also hear of other nocturnal amusements laid out there for the rangeela types. But the chowkidars, or the guest-house keepers will never be punished— try even to get them transferred, you will know their utility to the influential folks in the neighbourhood! After all, many political and other plots and schemes are also hatched there. The government’s recent decision to renovate forest and other rest houses in the state and open them to the public is good only on paper. In practice, it will only fill the coffers of unscrupulous characters— various gods of these guest-houses. Evil fun will flourish further.
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Easily the most photographed monument in Shimla, Christ Church attracts a large number of tourists but they also violate its sanctity, particularly when the faithful assemble for their Sunday worship, finds Parbina Rashid Popular with tourists and filmmakers alike, the church has been attracting a larger crowd in this post-Da Vinci period. All those who are trying to connect themselves to either the book or the film find the British-era church irresistible. This may have worked for Himachal Tourism, but for the devotees who like to attend its services, there is a feeling of letdown. A devotee from Chandigarh, who went to attend a Sunday mass, came back thoroughly disappointed. The reason? Even when the service was on, tourists were all over the place, triggering their cameras and cell phones noisily, with a degree of callousness, which is so typical of a tourist! “It’s true that a lot many people come to visit the church even during the service and their number has been increasing. Maybe Dan Brown’s controversial book is slightly responsible for it,” says Rev Shamsher Masih, with a smile as we try to strike a conversation on the topic of tourism vs devotion. So what do the church authorities do to stop enthusiasm and devotion from getting intermingled? “We have posted some bills asking people to observe silence or not to go overboard with their cameras while the church service is on. We even post a man at the door to drive our point home while tourists come in groups. But then, tourists will be tourists. One cannot be too sure how they will behave once they are inside,” says Rev Masih.
Closing the door is another option, but Rev Masih sees it as the last resort as, after all, a place of worship should be open to all! Looking at the church that overlooks the ridge with all its majestic grandeur, dignified Gothic architecture and exquisite paintings fitted on its windows, one can blame the tourists for wanting it to be a part of their albums. Built in 1844, this is said to be the second oldest church in North India. The prized possession of this church is a 100-year-old pipe organ, which is one of the biggest in India. The church owes its popularity not only to dozens of websites and tourism guidebooks but a score of Bollywood films that have captured it in various seasons. “During my service here, there have been so many shootings by film people from Mumbai,” says the priest. We pester him for a few names. After jogging his memory, he could give us only one name — Main Aisa Hi Hun”. He can’t be blamed as he is not a movie buff. Well, that Ajay Devgan starrer is enough to make us go gooey-eyed and we realised the glamour angle attached to it now. So what is next on the agenda? “A little renovation is what the church needs,” says Rev Masih who wants to start with a whitewash to add a little glow to it. Incidentally, it underwent a major renovation and restoration work recently. Nobody complained because the church is a landmark of Shimla. As one approaches the city from anywhere, it is the spirals of the church that immediately draw one’s attention.
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Missing links of sewerage system
Even after the completion of the OPEC-funded sewerage system, more than 60 per cent of the sewerage generated in the state capital is being not treated.
As many as six sewerage treatment plants with an aggregate capacity of 35.63 million litres per day (mld) have been set up at Lalpani, Dhalli, Summer Hill, Snowdon, Golcha and Sanjauli-Malyana at a cost of Rs 54.80 crore. But new system is being grossly underutilised because it has not been properly connected to the old sewerage network with the treatment plants. Streets and roads of the entire city were dug up to lay 179 km of pipeline but still a majority of the areas have not been covered. For instance the Pantha Ghati, parts of Kusumpti and new Shimla, Housing Board Colony have been totally left out. The old sewer lines in the main city from Combermere Bridge to the A.G. Office is full of missing links. The result is that the treatment plant at Lalpani, which has the highest capacity of 19.3 mld is receiving only about 3 mld of sewage. The irrigation and Public Health Department blames the old, neglected internal disposal system of the Municipal Corporation, which has breaks in the lateral lines. Some lines are permanently choked other burst frequently. The department has laid the main line through the city but the lateral network of the corporation has not been connected to it. The city daily generates 13 mld to 14 mld of sewage but only about 6 mld is flowing into the treatment plants. Plans are now being formulated to replace the old worn out lateral sewer lines under the Jawahar Lal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission. A Rs 7 crore project is being finalised. However, it will take a long time. Mr Kaul Singh Thakur, the Irrigation and Public Health Minister, who also holds the portfolio of Urban Development, insists that the old network will be connected to the new system at the earliest. He said he had already issued the necessary instructions to the Shimla Municipal Corporation in this regard. However, replacing the more than a century-old neglected sewerage network will not be an easy task. It will require much financial resources, which the corporation does not have. Improper disposal of sewage is a major cause of water pollution in the hills. The state pollution control board has already taken up this matter with the municipal authorities. The new system will suffice till 2031 for a projected population of 5, 45,722. If the sewage generated by the existing population does not flow into the treatment plants it will be a colossal waste of funds. The entire town should have been covered by taking care of the lateral connectivity when the main lines were being laid. A notable aspect of the new system is that all the six treatment plants are being managed by private parties.
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SHIMLA Diary
Mountaineering has been a passion with Amit Pande and it finally won him recognition when he was conferred with the Nausena Medal (Gallantry) by the Indian Navy recently.
Hailing from Solan, Amit had had a natural affinity towards mountains and he had been frequently undertaking trekking expeditions as student. He got ample opportunities to explore hills as his father Mr A .K. Pande, who retired as Superintending Engineer from the state Public Works Department, moved from one place to the other while in service. He was commissioned in the Indian Navy in 1996 but that only helped him in pursuing his passion more vigorously and afforded him climbing opportunities not only in the country but also in Nepal, China and Bhutan. He has twice qualified in the high altitude search and rescue and undertaken over 15 mountaineering expeditions in the greater Himalaya and the Eastern Karakoram. Some of his expeditions include Mt. Kamet, Saser Kangri, Thalaysagar and Tirsuli (W). He made solo ascents of the twin peaks Mt Jogin I and III in Northern Garhwal in 2002. The same year he became the first Indian to scale the extremely difficult and technically demanding peak, Mt Suitilla, in the Kumaon Himalaya. The high point in his mountaineering came when scaled the Mount Everest in 2004. He was the deputy leader of the Indian Naval Mountaineering Expedition, which conquered the highest peak of the world. In the process the Indian Navy achieved the distinction of being the first Navy in the world to scale the Everest. The expedition to the Everest was undertaken from the more difficult and challenging North face (Tibet), which is by far the less preferred route because of the adverse weather and difficult climbing conditions. Not resting on his oars after the successful ascent of the Everest, Amit soon led another successful expedition to Mt Konchuk Tsoo, a virgin peak on the Indo-China border in Eastern Ladakh. He was also the leader of the team which explored the un chartered Teram Shehr glacier, North East of the Siachen glacier. Keenly interested in the Himalayan flora and fauna, Amit is an avid ornithologist and has maintained accurate and meticulous records of his sightings. He is a member of the Bombay Natural History Society and has also undertaken various projects on birdlife. His articles have been published in many leading Indian and foreign mountaineering journals. Fiery story Devastating forest fires have over the years become a normal phenomenon during summer in the hill state. With little snow during winter and a drought-like situation prevailing in the fire-prone forest areas till April the department feared the worst during peak summer. However, the weather god obliged with frequent spells of rain during May and June to spare the depleting forests reserves the annual fiery ordeal, which takes a huge toll of the environment. There were no major fires, which was quite unusual. In all 8,267 sq km, about 23 per cent of the total forest area of the state, is prone to fires. The pine forests below the altitude of 1600 m virtually transform into a huge tinderbox during summer. On average 500 to 900 incidents of forest fires take place but things could go worse depending on weather conditions. For instance, during 1995 as many as 1669 forest fires involving an area of 59,143 hectare occurred. Similarly, in 1999 there were 1900 fires but the area involved was somewhat less at 36,887 hectare. The fire-hazard increased due to wrong afforestation policy of the government, which promoted monoculture of pine. As many as 1500 sq km has been brought under pine since 1960. One hectare of the pine forests yields about two tonne of needles. Each year about five to seven million tonne of pine needles, which are highly inflammable, are shed and accumulate on ground rendering the forest susceptible to fires. Beggar’s paradise Beggars can also be choosers. This becomes quite evident from the sharp increase in their number in the “Queen of Hills” during summer when the tourist season is at its peak. They make a beeline to hill stations to beat the oppressing heat of plains. The seasonal migration also ensures good business as the tourists fall easy prey to their pathetic pleadings. The current season has seen an abnormal rise in the number of beggars and most of them are staying put even after the onset of monsoon. They have become a nuisance not only for the tourists but also the local people. Their activity is no longer confined to the vicinity of temples. The child-beggars move in groups. They could be seen mobbing tourist at bus stands, railway stations and other vantage points. A large number of them are living near the abandoned railway yard, near bus stand, and Phagli. The Anti Begging Act is in force in the state since 1979 but it has never been implemented in the right earnest. The police have been occasionally carrying out drives to check the menace under which beggars were nabbed and left outside the state. This only provides temporary relief. As of now a drive seems to be overdue.
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Hardships await pilgrims to Naina Devi
All roads leading to Naina Devi Temple in Bilaspur district these days are witnessing heavy flow of devotees, carrying red flags on two wheelers, cars, tractor-trailer, trucks and buses, to pay obeisance as 10-day Shravani Mela to begin here from Wednesday.
It’s a common sight these days, not just two wheelers, cars, tractor-trailers and buses carrying red flags but also number of people walking on the roads bare-feet and wearing red T-shit and carrying flags that represent their faith. Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Pithas where on an average three to five lakh devotees pay obeisance during the mela. In addition to Himachal, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, people from other states also come here during the festival.
Naturally beautiful Besides the religious importance, the place is also full of natural beauty. The temple was built in the eight century and is situated at height of 1219 mt above the sea level. From the top of it, one can see the beautiful view of the Govind Sagar lake and mountain ranges full of thick green cover forest area. And also a view of Anandpur Sahib town (Punjab) consisting of holy Gurdwara on other side. Those fond of nature, do not forget to carry your camera. There are plenty to capture in this to capture in this picturesque spot. However, though this is one of the prominent religious temples in the state, the district administration has yet to make proper arrangements and develop proper infrastructure for the devotees.
Poor roads Two main links to the temple here are — one from Kiratpur Sahib and another after covering 15 km from Anandpur Sahib town. While poor conditions of the roads surface after covering 16 km by Kiratpur Sahib. The other route through Anandpur Sahib to the temple is in the pathetic condition. The congested roads have become accident-prone as potholes are everywhere, even many places stretches of roads have been washed away during rainfall. A number of turns on the routes lack safety walls, making driving a risky affair. Carpeting and maintenance of these roads have not done for past several years.
Landslides During monsoons, the roads become more accident-prone here due to landslides. Devotees visiting here during the mela are at the mercy of the weather conditions. The Tribune team witnessed such landslide on the way to the temple on the Kiratpur Sahib route during a heavy rainfall. The commuters on both sides remained struck for about half an hour. Only half of the stairs to the temples are covered with tin sheds while the rest of the area is still open. During rain day, the devotees have to face a tough time. The unhygienic conditions prevail in most of the places right from the bus stand in Naina Devi town to the 45-minute-walk to the temple. There is a need to place some dustbins. Toilets are also not clean.
Tobacco and langar Shops selling tobacco, cigarettes, beedi’s are also seen in a number of places. Even to one’s surprise, sell of such things is allowed in front of main langar hall. There is arrangement for round-the-clock langar on the way to temple. These are organized by both locals and devotees from other places. When contacted, the Deputy Commissioner, Bilaspur, who is also the head of the Naina Devi Trust, Mr Manish Garg, says the Naina Devi town is divided in nine sectors during the mela. Besides 500 police personnel, one DSP and Executive Officer are deployed in each sector to maintain the law and order situation. Parking arrangements are also made. ”We are working to improve the infrastructure here. The stairs were not covered before the trust was formed, we have covered half of the area with tin sheds and the rest will also be covered soon,” he says. Regarding the sale of tobacco products, he says the place around temple is owned by the locals.
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Muscular dystrophy patients attend summer camp
Working to ameliorate the lot of various Muscular
Dystrophy (MD) patients across the country the Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy (IAMD) based at Solan is serving as a guiding light for these hapless individuals. Since the disease has no known cure the association endeavors to bring such patients under a common umbrella every year in the form of a summer camp.
The Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy however found that it was extremely difficult to procure the exact figures as no ready data on MD is available. On the other hand MD is a recorded fact with welfare departments of developed nations with 240 victims detected in Australia. Solan based IAMD which conducted a sample survey for assessing primary data on the disease contacted 46 patients through postcards in a small development block of Dharampur. At least 17 people who were aware of at least one victim of MD responded back. In Solan town itself, which has a population of about 90,000 , as many as 30 MD patients have been found. The president of the association Ms Sanjana Goyal however believes that the incidence of MD might be alarming if not epidemic as most educated families keep congenital disorders like MD a closely guarded secret of the family fearing ostracism from the society. She further stresses that since there is no cure for MD it is very crucial to save victimization by quacks. Stressing the need for genetic counselling of expectant mothers the Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy (IAMD) emphasized that such information could avoid birth of children with congenital defects. The fact that there was no cure for such patients a per-natal test could verify such abnormalities. The government had granted legal sanctity to abort such children observed Mr Vipul Goyal, general secretary, IAMD. “ It is important to fight back depression which overcomes a MD patient and his family. It is not just the proper counselling which makes a difference but also dissemination of the right information which can improve their lot.” The association’s president Ms Sanjana Goyal while terming it as an inspiration from “Jerry Kids” in the USA said they can make a few moments memorable in the life of such patients. With Solan town itself having as many as 50 such patients it was very important to spread awareness about this disease. The over 50 participants hailing from various states like Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, etc., included patients who had achieved success in their respective fields. Presenting cultural programmes ranging of varied hues these patients find this n opportunity to exhibit the talent. Adding to their confidence such camps enable them to display their talent and take a healthy break from their otherwise secluded lives. This included a Punjab State Electricity Board Official Mr Gurbir Kochar, a Punjab Engineering College faculty member Bipan Kaushal, etc.
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Where temple is a meeting point
Favourite haunt Over the years, the temple has become so popular that every other youngster in Dharamsala comes here to pay obeisance at least once a day. And in a city that does not have hangouts like Barista or Café Coffee Day to boast of, the temple is a favourite haunt
for scores of students from the college, which is located at a stone’s throw from the temple. “The story of the temple dates back to 1932, when it just had a small
stone idol placed under a peepal tree in what used to be the treasury of the British Government. One day, the then English Superintendent of Police happened to visit the treasury and turned furious on finding
the guards worshipping the idol of Lord Hanuman. He ordered that the idol should be immediately thrown in the nearest drain,” said
constable Shankar Das Sharma, the pujari of the temple. However, he adds, Hanumanji wouldn’t let the SP sleep that night. “The moment he would close his eyes, something would throw him down from his bed. They very next morning he again came to the treasury and restored the idol at its original place and also allowed construction of a temple there,” says Sharma. Exciting fables But after the treasury was shifted from there, the temple was taken
over by the police force, with special orders that the two in-service constables would be allowed to act as pujaris, along would provision
for the supporting staff. Head Constable Bhanwar Singh, the other pujari, takes no time in
reciting another interesting fable about the temple. It is said that there used to be a guard deployed at the treasury, who left duty and
went freaking out one night. That very night the SP came calling on a surprise visit to the treasury. “To the surprise of the terrified guard, the SP called him
the next day and awarded him for being a dedicated guard as he was found all alert the previous night. The guard was of the firm belief that it was
Hanumanji who filled in for him and he thus decided to quit the job out of guilt and left the place,” says Bhanwar Singh. A hub of miracles Little wonder, more than 5,000 devotees converge on the temple on
Tuesdays and the average number is no less than 1,000 on weekdays. “Even if a file is lost in some office in Dharamsala, officials come here to seek Hanumanji’s help, besides college and school going students praying for better results,” says Sharma. The temple also happens to be the only one in the region, which does not close at noon. It is open from 4 am to 9 pm without any breaks. ‘It so happens that we get up at 4 am on dot without fail everyday on
our own. But whenever we are at home, we have to use an alarm to get up,” says Bhanwar Singh.
A large portion of the temple land was added subsequently, after a deputy commissioner, who was blessed with a son after he prayed at the temple, handed over the public land to the temple. Then, there was a constable who got the first four pillars of the temple constructed after his wish for a child was also granted.
“Most of the candidates from the Kangra region contesting for the Assembly make it a point to start their campaigning after seeking Hanumanji’s blessings at the temple. For the police force, they all
look upto Lord Hanuman for courage,” says Sharma. A senior police official informs that both the constables are put on
regular duties during elections and other emergency situations. “Otherwise, the practice has been to allow them to work as
pujaris. Whatever money is raised by way of prasad, is utilized on the maintenance of the temple,” he says.
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Dagshai: a shadow of the past
Dagshai was the part of Maharaja of Patiala’s “riyasat”. In the 18th century, the Maharaja gave five villages, including Dagshai, to the British, free of cost to set up a cantonment. These villages spread over an area of 827 acre were later formed the present Dagshai. The town had witnessed exodus twice. The first was in 1947 when around 100 well settled Muslim families had to escape from here in hurriedly to Pakistan. Old timers’ recall, to ferry the Muslims, Kalka-Shimla train was stopped at Patta Ka Mour near Kumarhatti. It was Colonel Fairly, Station Commandant of the Baluchistan regiment who escorted the Muslims to Kalka in train after handful of Hindus planning to take revenge of what was being done to Hindus in Pakistan. In fact this exodus was to keep alive one’s own identity while the second exodus in 1986 was to keep alive one’s own commercial viability. The decision of the Defence Ministry to establish an Army school in 1986 in place of a regiment at Dagshai has proved a final setback to the commercial downfall of the town. Dagshai had population of around 2000 in 1901. Until 1947 the two regiments of Army from Ferozepore and Lahore used to come here. About 250 women meant for the entertainment of about 1,000 Army jawans accompanied them. The Dagshai market was very popular in region due to the volume of trade it recorded at that time. Every Friday was not less than a festival in Dagshai market when Army jawans and women thronged market for shopping. Every Friday was a pay day in Army units. The traders used to come from flung areas for transacting wholesale business. Even merchants from Lahore reached here for trading business. After Independence, Dagshai started to loose its commercial importance. The bulk of traders stopped visiting Dagshai market for conducting business. In 1986 the most of shopkeepers left from here and settled at Solan, Dharampur and Kumarhatti to make their both ends meet. Now few shops were operational in Dagshai market. The remaining shops were closed since long. These were in dilapidated condition but still gave enough glimpse of their past glory. While crossing through the deserted market one can see the small signboards nailed on some shops showing name of traders who used to run these shops. Dagshai cantonment is divided into two parts. The upper portion covering most of parts of Dagshai falls under Defense Estate Officer, Ambala while lower part of cantonment is known as civilian area. The civilian area falls under direct jurisdiction of cantonment board. The most of civilians at present are not happy with board functioning over giving permission for new constructions and repair work of exiting structures. The cantonment board procedures for approval for new constructions are so rigid that one has to think of abandoning any such idea. Moreover the sanction for repair work too involves long wait, civilians lamented.
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Comfortable beds and sofas may replace chairs in offices one day. This is the best news in many years for most of us lazy bums “at work” who greet files with loud yawns and snapping fingers. Clinical tests have shown (as reported in Sunday Times, London) recently that “lying down “ is the best posture for thinking! Men and women under study solved problems faster while in horizontal position than standing or sitting. The most preferred state was of course curling up in the bed or the blessed sofa.
DAN BROWN’S quest for the Holy Grail might have stirred a hornet’s nest worldwide (even Punjab banned the cinematic version of Da Vinci Code), but it has a totally different impact on the Church of Christ in Shimla Ridge. 
Worshipping Lord Hanuman seems to be a part of a policeman’s official duty in Dharamsala. And the fact that they draw their courage and dedication from their favourite God is proved by the city’s rare distinction of having a Lord Hanuman temple entirely run by in-service cops.
Gone are the days when all roads lead to Dagshai the major trade center of region before Independence. Now the town is linked with single bus service with no sight of any commercial viability. Once an important and strategic place for British, Dagshai has now gradually turned into a place of dilapidated buildings.