Life in Suspension Every step you take over the fascinating long suspension bridge Handolla on the Sutlej river, you can not help but feel that your life is in a kind of suspension too. The authorities have declared it unsafe and it is open for pedestrian only. Of course, there is a signboard that warns you at entrance — ‘Cross the bridge at your own risk’. DANGER ZONE: Every day people risk their lives to cross the Handola bridge. — Photo by writer

HIllside view
The great farewell drama…
Sometimes I sound cynical even to myself! Perhaps that is better than telling yourself lies, internalising them as truths, and propagating them as bigger truths. So, please bear with me.

shimla Diary
Light at the end of tunnel
While the government is planning to have some new tunnels in the state capital to ease traffic congestion, the existing tunnels constructed by the British before Independence are crying for attention.

A ‘yatra’ to Lord Shiva’s abode All roads lead to the Bharmour valley in district Chamba in the month of August-September as over four lakh devotees converge on the sacred Manimahesh Lake to take a holy dip. Located at a height of 4,170 meters, at the base of Manimahesh Kailash peak, the lake combines religious fervor with the picturesque, pristine beauty of Mount Kailash, which is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. DIVINE WATER: A view of the Manimahesh Lake

Bullfight goes on despite notice
Amidst controversy bullfight was held during two-day Siar festival at Arki that concluded on Sunday. The holding of bullfight had become a challenge for mela committees, caught in a catch 22 situation, after getting a notice not to hold the fight from the state Animal Husbandry department, which had warned that the fight should not be held, as it was a direct violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

Get a taste of life Do you have the courage to test yourself in water and land adventure? The Western Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Manali, will conduct various courses in winter sports for professionals and amateurs in mountaineering expeditions, snow training, high-altitude treks and white water rafting. The courses will be conducted at the Manali institute and its centres, including McLeodganj, Pong Dam, Solang, Narkanda, Rohroo, Bharmour, Jispa and Pirdi.

SPIRIT RULES: Manali is all set to cater to your adventurous nature. — A Tribune photograph

Mission stray dogs
The Municipal Corporation in Shimla is all set to carry out mass sterilisation of stray dogs, reports Rakesh Lohumi
The Queen of Hills will finally get relief from the stray dog menace. The Municipal Corporation is all set to carry out mass sterilisations of the canines from next month.

Full of Steam The Railways has introduced a 1953-made steam engine to promote tourism, reports Vibhor Mohan There is no running out of steam when it comes to promoting tourism through railways. And what better than a 1953-made steam engine, which has been refurbished recently and could soon run on the steep tracks of Baijnath. RECALL TO LIFE: The steam engine which is expected to boost tourism

SMS khazana for HP
Have you ever faced a problem in finding the right SMS to send to a friend or a loved one at the right time, be it a birthday, anniversary, festival ..? All of us have at some time or the other - and we all have to either request friends for messages or go to the internet to find the one that would be suitable.

Matter of faith
From studying Tibetan Buddhism to save the eco-system of Mcleodganj, Lisa Mastelotto has come a long way in contributing her bits towards society — Pratibha Chauhan
It is a matter of faith for hundreds of Westerners who are drawn towards Tibetan Buddhism as they land up in Mcleodganj, the abode of the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, on a spiritual quest. There is hardly anyone though to spare a thought for the town, which is now home to the Tibetan refugees, driven out of their homeland.