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Winter thrills
As snowfall declines at traditional winter sport havens due to climatic changes,
Rakesh Lohumi looks at the games’ future in the state
Winter in the hill state has its own charm. As the white mantle from the towering snow-clad peaks extends to lower ranges the landscape transforms dramatically. Nature’s brush lends an ethereal beauty to the scene, as soft cottony snow weaves its magic, depositing on trees, bushes, sloping rooftops, power lines, roadside railings, terraced fields and everything else. However, nothing is as exciting as the experience of a snowfall. The sight of feather-like flakes wafting down leisurely from the overcast sky is indeed mesmerising. The scene after a fresh snowfall can only be compared to a fairyland. Winter revelers from the adjoining plains make a beeline to the popular hill stations like Shimla, Manali and Dalhousie during the height of winter to enjoy the spectacle of falling snow. As the winter peaks, snow on the higher hills gets deeper and the stage is set for a variety of winter sports like skiing, heli-skiing and the indigenously developed, bungee sledging. The Solang slopes in Kulu and Narkanda in Shimla are the most popular destinations for skiing. Unlike Kufri, they still receive ample snow. Incidentally, the British at Illalqua slopes, near Dharamsala, first introduced skiing in India more than a hundred years ago. But it could not be developed as a tourist destination because of its inaccessibility. Subequently, Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir emerged as a popular ski resort. However, it was Kufri, which put the state on the national winter sports map. Discovered by British Army officers in the 1930s and being close to Shimla, it quickly emerged as a popular destination for winter sport. It continued to flourish even after Independence and became a regular venue for national winter games. Thereafter, the decline started as the environmental degradation due to denudation of hills in the region took its toll. The snow line started receding gradually and snowfall became irregular in Kufri. Winter games could not be organised because of lack of adequate and timely snow in the 1980s. In the meantime, a modern ski resort came up at Auli in Uttranchal. Snow still falls in Kufri but it melts very quickly as the average temperature has gone up considerably. Moreover, it gets too crowded due to the rush of tourists, whenever it snows. It does not attract ski enthusiasts anymore. Weather god obliging, casual skiers and tourists, could still have some fun. Those seriously interested in the sport have to go 54 km further to Narkanda. Located at over 9,000 ft it is still largely unspoiled and mercifully, does not attract hordes of tourists like Kufri. Together with the Hattu peak which is a good 2000 ft higher, the slopes at Narkanda offer suitable ski runs for all, from beginners to advanced, from slalom to cross-country. The Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports has been organising ski courses and national meets regularly. The National Junior Winter Games 2007 are scheduled to be held at Narkanda in January. It is, however, the world-class slopes of Solang Nullah and the heli-skiing, the daring high-end adventure sport, introduced in 1989, which have put the state on the international winter sport map. Manali has been the operational base for the most spectacular and exciting heli-skiing organised by the Himachal Helicopter Skiing Company. Skiers are taken aboard a helicopter up and dropped atop snow-covered mountains at a height of 14,000 ft and even more from where they ski downhill. It provides the skiers a long, unhindered run of powder skiing. Deo Tibba, Hanuman Tibba, Rohtang Pass and Chanderkhani Pass are the ranges where heli-skiing takes place. The company brings the skiers from various countries. The Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, which has emerged as a premier institution for skiing in the Himalayas, organises skiing and other allied activities at Solang Nullah throughout the winter. It has all the required equipment and trained manpower required. A ski lift is being installed at Solang Nullah, which will give a further boost to the sport. It will take the skiers further up the hill to increase the run to almost 1.5 km, which will facililitate maintainance of international standards in holding various events. The weather plays an important role. Normally, the middle ranges are covered with snow by the end of December. The best of snow is available in January when most of the events are held. However, the ongoing climatic changes have made snowfall irregular and inadequate. Places like Shimla, which used to get six to eight feet of snow from December to March until 1980s, hardly receive one to two feet of it. In fact, Shimla experienced a snow less winter last season. Even Kufri had little snow. If the fast receding snowline is any indication Narakanda and Solang may not remain on the winter sports map for long.
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Dam threatens national security
The proposed 275-mt-high dam at Khab, close to the Indo-Tibet border on the Sutlej river in Pooh sub-division of Kinnaur, will enjoy the status of the second highest dam in the world, after the 285-mt Grand Dixence Dam in Switzerland but the policy makers are giving it a second thought and reasons are many.
The dam, which will be a part of the1020 MW Khab-Shasho Hydel Power Project, is likely to caste a shadow on the security of the nation, feel the tribal people of Kinnaur. A deputation of the tribesmen from the adjoining villages, led by Baldev Singh, pradhan of the gram sabha of Namgiya village, met the Union Minister of State for Defence, Mr M.M. Pallam Raju, last week. They apprised him of the danger to the local area and its environment due to the construction of this dam. The Union Minister visited the spot near the Ship ki La road where the dam is to be constructed. The Army officials and the engineers of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) briefed him regarding the dam. It may be mentioned that the Defence Ministry has rejected the grant of permission to this mega power project before, keeping the strategic constraints in view. The Chief Engineer of the BRO Brigadier K.P. Singh told the minister that the BRO had not given its consent to this dam. Mr M.L. Kom, Commanding Officer of the 68 RCC of the BRO is of the view that the proposed dam will pose danger not only to the Hindustan-Tibet road but also to the Ship ki La trade road (silk route) that is under construction. As per the pre-feasibility report, as many as 60 permanent bunkers of the Army and 33 permanent bunkers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBPF) will be displaced from one of the most strategic locations within the first defense line of the border. Sources says the Army and the para-military force, deployed on the forward posts in this sector on the highlands, are yet to formulate a new approach and line of attack to construct the bunkers that are likely to be displaced once the construction work on this dam begins. Moreover, once the bunkers are displaced, the most important task before the Army and ITBPF, in case of a war, will be to defend the dam first because if the dam is destroyed the whole area beyond Shimla will be cut-off, damaging the Hindustan-Tibet road (national highway-22), keeping in view the past experiences of flash floods in the Sutlej. Another concern for the Army and other people protesting against its construction is closeness of the dam to the international border. The proposed dam site is in the direct artillery range of the Chinese Army, said a senior official of the Army posted in the 36-sector. Sushil Sana, an environmentalist based in Kinnaur, has managed to rope in the support of almost every resident in the area against the construction of this dam. He says the proposed site of the dam is within 8 km (air distance) of the line dividing the international border, which is within the firing range of even hand held ballistic guns and rocket launchers not to talk about tanks and missiles. Contrary to this, the SJVN authorities argue that the dam is at a distance of about 14 kilometers from the international border. The dispute on distance of the dam from the international border is yet to be solved. Sher Singh another resident of the area who also strongly opposes the Khab dam claims that the upper end of the 12-km-long reservoir of this dam will be barely four kilometers (air distance) from the international border. Apart from these points of strategic importance, many vital locations of the army and the ITBPF are situated downstream on the banks of Sutlej that will wash away if the dam gets destroyed in an enemy attack in case of war or even in the case of natural disaster like a high intensity earthquake. Above all, that the whole project including the dam falls within the cold desert zone of the Himalayas. Therefore, it requires no argument to explain the fragility of the sandy rocks that every now-and-then causes problems to the very survival of all living things in the area. Since this issue is of great importance to the nation both - in terms of power generation and from a defense point of view - the policy makers of the nation should look, first and foremost, at the security of its people and land from all angles before hastily spreading wings under the pressure of capitalist forces who will try everything for financial gains, even if it means putting at stake the pride of the nation.
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Shimla
Diary
For teachers, friends and acquaintances, Mr Hamid Karzai is still the same person they knew 23 years back when he was a student at the Himachal Pradesh University as even after his elevation as President of Afghanistan, he meets each one of them with the same affection and fondness.
Even though it was 23 years ago that young Mr Karzai left Shimla to fight against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, he still has very vivid and fond memories of Shimla, where he was on a two-day visit last week. Despite wanting to visit the places associated with his student life here he took out time for friends and teachers, he knew then.
His close friend Shyam Khanna received him at Annadale on his arrival and gave him company as the President went around the town. He took out time to meet Prof A.R. Khan, a retired teacher from the Department of History, with whom he had many animated discussions on the history of Afghanistan and its future while he was studying at the HPU.
The President also presented a box, made of lapis lazuli, a precious stone mined in Afghanistan, to Prof Khan. With Mr Karzai’s love and admiration for Mahatma Gandhi being known to all, Prof Khan presented him with a khadi
salwar-kamiz. Maybe Prof Khan’s Afghan lineage was one of the reasons for their close interaction but more importantly, it was the concern for his homeland and freeing it of the Soviet occupation which weighed heavily on the mind of Mr Karzai. “My stay in Shimla was full of bliss and happiness except one sad occasion when the Soviets occupied Afghanistan and from that moment my sole mission in life was to rid the country of their rule,” he had said. Being nostalgic about the past, he made it a point to have one glimpse of all these places, including the Indian Coffee House, Baljees and the YMCA, guarded by the American security as he preferred to walk around. He made it a point to visit the guesthouse of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where he spent his first tow months in the town and the Institute of Advanced
Studies. All talk...
The much-delayed elections of the state BJP chief have become a cause of embarrassment for the party high command as even after several rounds of talks with the senior leaders from the state, there has been no consensus, exposing the dissensions and bickering within the main opposition party, desperately wanting to make a comeback in the state.
The election has already been postponed twice as a section of the leaders are in no mood to relent since they want that the election must be held to ensure that man who emerges as the popular choice of the party workers is elevated to the top party post in the state.
Factionalism within the state party is so deep that despite the high command wanting to hand over the party reins to Mr Jai Ram Thakur, an MLA from Mandi district, the leaders have insisted on election. The BJP leaders, who endlessly brag about democratic norms being followed in their party unlike the Congress, are left with no answers as the high command wants a man of its choice being accepted by the state leaders. With the Assembly elections in the state due within a year-and-a-half, the faction which is able to install its man as the state chief will have the maximum say in the party affairs and can get party tickets for its men. Chess Master-’06
Launched in Himachal in June 2005, the NIIT Mind Champions Academy organised the first ever inter-district chess event ‘Chess Master-2006’ here last week. The Mind Champions Academy was launched all over the country with the objective to initiate students into the world of chess. The students use computer-based tutorials during and after school as a virtual playfield to hone their skills in the game of chess. Govind Singh was declared the winner of the Chess Master-2006 and will go on to represent the state in the North Zone clash, leading to the national-level finals. The national winner to be referred as chess master will receive the Chess Master-2006 trophy from grand master Vishwanathan Anand in Chennai.
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Hillside view
A sheepish look, sly glance, a greasy sickening smile. An assertive gait meant only for hiding nervousness. A low-pitched voice. This was the classic picture of men indulging in corruption, a few decades ago. Women’s involvement was rare—cynics may argue that not many were in suitable positions then.
The man at the railway booking office would say ‘no berths’. You pleaded. He would nod firmly first, then a bit hesitatingly— mushkil hain. Difficult —meaning ‘not impossible’(There is scope!) You would push a bit, “bhai saab, please, koshish keejiye”, and start dropping hints: “Please Bhai Saab, zara dekhlijiye. Zaroori kaam hain. Please help. I will pay extra charges.” Minutes later you would get the ticket. The ‘balance’ from the hundred rupee note went into the bhai saab’s pocket. A travel agent friend regularly distributed bribes in different departments. Fancy air bags, pen-sets, large bakhshish to peons and junior workers were a routine affair. They could move files quickly from section to section and often put your files on top. They also served as intermediaries with the bigger officials. He referred to bribes as ‘laxatives’ for smooth movement of the files (just like bowels!). Naturally, bigger officials needed bigger doses! Laxatives were never administered to bosses at their offices. Either, you did it at their homes, or left the bulky packets next to them while driving around or dropping them home. Sometimes you wrote off their holiday expenses. How to start the setting game? Suppose it’s a bit hot and stuffy in that office where your file is stuck. You say “yehan, bahut garmi hain. How do you manage to do all this work here?” The sly fellow smiles like a martyr: “Kya karen. Pyaas bhi bahut lagtin hai” (what to do. We feel very thirsty also). You both end up in a bar later. If he is a seasoned hard-nut? Bring the conversation to a pretty face in a recent movie. He may click his tongue, purse his lips, and pout: “Ji. She is terrific. Such women, my god…” Follow that line of treatment for a while. You may start ‘calling’ up numbers and end up in vice den. Today things are more ‘advanced’. I asked a wheeling-dealing fellow at a social gathering recently about how he passed on the cash-packets these days. “We just place them in the tray of in-coming files on the officer’s table”. Suppose there is a raid? “So what?” he said with that Delhi look, “the raiding party arrives only when it too feels thirsty. There are established norms for percentages.” The moral seems to be—don’t disappoint the raiding party! Reserve a certain portion for feeding the authorities ‘looking into’ cases of corruption. Delhi, the city of liaison men, is where nuances are entered into the lexicon of corruption. These middlemen—or call them touts, dalals, fixers, middlemen, agents and even consultants—can get you ‘any thing’ for a price. From getting the clearance (ignore its unfortunate association with a morning ablution!) of projects and files, to ‘blessings’ of influential god-men. A senior officer in an eastern state once confided about the fixed cuts of ‘ten per cent’ at different stages for getting a project sanctioned in Delhi. He didn’t feel guilty. “If we refuse and be moralistic, we lose the project. Another state will grab it,” he argued. After the cuts in Delhi and the shares of politicians and some officials in the state, he said, “janata janardhan ke liye kutch to bachega!”(at least something will be there for the poor public!) So much for the silly, excited reports in the press about a constable or a small fellow being caught ‘red-handed’ for taking a bribe of two or ten thousand. We also don’t get to know, except occasionally, how the big fish slip out of the net. A friend’s wife in Delhi chided me last year for giving others my contacts with men in top positions. That’s when I came to know you could earn thousands as ‘introduction money’ for merely setting up informal meets with influential officers in cozy places. The concerned parties would then follow it up of their own. People don’t discuss the latest agricultural methods at those farm-house parties. Deals are struck, cash moves — and discreet but wild celebrations follow. We hear about ‘settings and fittings’ in Himachal also more frequently these days than say 15 years ago. The recent scam concerning the medical entrance test is a mere straw in the hay-stack. Daily, someone or the other tells you about how things are ‘managed’. Brazenness is also becoming visible. A worthy recently explained: “After all, nobody sits and chews the black money. When Rs 50 lakhs are spent on a marriage, who gets the pieces of the cake? The tamboo wallah, cooks, caterers, taxi and transport fellows, hotels, flower-sellers, sabji wallahs, labourers… Many poor people, including beggars get some benefit— the money is distributed down the line. Let us accept it as an Indian model of development…” Who says, there is hope? Silly point! The next time you meet Chunnu or Munnu at a stranger’s place, don’t launch into the usual eulogy: “His nose looks just like his papa’s. See, even the smile is the same, ha ha!” You may be stepping on a sore toe, or making an ass of yourself! The number of adoptions is rising rapidly, as also re-marriages where children of a previous spouse are taken over by the present one. Besides, who knows! Unless you are merely supporting the mummy’s campaign that her bachcha is a complete copy of her husband. A research report quoted in the Daily Mail calls it a mother’s ‘sub-conscious effort’ to prove time and again her child’s paternity. ‘It is built into her evolutionary psyche’. The re-assured father, it says, is then ‘more prepared’ to look after the child and mother. DNA tests are not for every body. Do socialise, but be careful!
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Lively debate on Press and its role
Mediapersons across the country tend to forget the National Press Day but not in Himachal Pradesh. An alert state Department of Information and Public Relations has been religiously observing the day every year and holding seminars on the assigned topic. Senior journalists are invited to deliver lectures on the subject and interact with the media persons on the occasion.
“Media and Social Responsibility”,
the topic this year was appropriate and timely. This became evident from the content of the lectures delivered by the key speakers who spoke at length on how prime social concerns were being relegated to the background in the market-driven media. The crux was that a media driven by the market forces cannot be an effective instrument for social transformation. With newspapers being treated as a commercial product the unbridled market forces were eating into the vitals of healthy journalism. Mr A.J. Philip, Senior Associate Editor of The Tribune, lamented the succumbing of the media to market forces. It was killing healthy journalism as readers were being treated as consumers and all sorts of marketing strategies were being used to increase circulation. In the process, relevant issues were being ignored and the focus was on trivia. The main objective, it seemed, was not to inform and educate the people but to entertain them. Mr Irwin Khanna, Executive Editor of the Jagran, was of the view that media should not be judged in isolation as every section of the society had a role to play in fulfilling the social responsibility. If the society as a whole accepts the newspaper as a consumer product nothing much could be done about it. Mr Naresh Kaushal , Editor of the Dainik Tribune, said too much emphasis on crime and other negative news had desensitised the people. The focus, particularly in the electronic media, was on the celebrities and the issues concerning the common man were of little consequence. Mr Philip wondered why the Press Day was observed on the day the Press Council of India, a regulatory body, was founded. He said, ideally, it should have been observed on the birthday of some great journalist who had made an outstanding contribution to the uplift of society through his writings. Some journalists who attended the seminar felt that the initiative to celebrate the achievements of media should come from the media fraternity and not from the Public Relations Department. These aberrations apart, it provided a good opportunity to media persons to interact with the best in the profession and ponder over their changing role in highlighting the emerging issues which have a bearing on the society at large.
The history of The Tribune, one of the oldest newspapers in the country, also found mention as Mr Kaushal while highlighting the commitment of the media before Independence narrated how the premier publication of North India shifted from Lahore to Shimla during the Partition without missing a single issue of the newspaper. The newspaper was published from the erstwhile summer capital for about six months and then moved to Ambala and finally to Chandigarh.
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Gandhian in spirit
With the passing away of Swami Purnanand recently, at age of 97 years, who worked like the right arm of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, an era has came to an end. The stalwart who cherished and lived by Gandhian values and principals and used to spin yarn on the charkha was the last surviving associate of the Mahatma and championed the cause of the suffering humanity till his last breath.
At the ripe age of over 97 years Swami Purnanand breathed his last a week back at his ancestral house at Jawaharnagar in Mandi town. A renowned freedom fighter, an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Ji lived a simple life, spun khadi, wore khadi and preached khadi and social service as a true Gandhian till his last breath. Swami Purnanand not only preached but also practiced Gandhian values. He promoted the use of Khadi in the state all his life. He also founded the Gandhi Bhawan in Mandi town, which has become a center for various social activities. Mandi Citizens’ Council, Ayurvedic Health Center and a school run by the Gandhi Bhawan trust were also set up with his efforts. The Bhawan also houses the district Congress head quarters as Purnanand was a true Congressman. Krishna Tandon, the chairperson of the State Women Commission, who worked with him for many years fondly, remembers Swamiji as a realistic
Gandhian thinker who stood for his ideals and principles of service to the poor and helpless masses.
Till he could walk, Swami Purnanand used to come to Gandhi Bhawan and would pray in front of the picture of Father of the Nation, enshrined in the Bhawan, on every Friday. Friday prayer was something of reaffirmation of his lifelong commitment to Gandhian values and principles that he cherished at young age at Lahore and Benaras, where he studied at a time when the freedom struggle was firing the imagination of the lovers of the independent nation. “Swamiji never hankered after publicity, an office of position or profit”, say his admirers. “He was even offered the post of the chief minister but he as
a true soldier of Mahatam Gandhi rejected power and pelf and chose social service instead”. He also set up a leper colony in Mandi town for the uplift of lepers brought there from across the state. He set up an old-age home at Bhangrotu and
home for handicapped in Dehar. Born on May 2, 1909 in the Khatri family in Mandi town, Swami Purnanand fought joined freedom struggle and promoted the Praja Mandal movement for the formation of Himachal Pradesh. He did his B.Sc. Honours from Lahore and law degree from the Banaras Hindu University. As a youngster he plunged into the Satyagrah movement started by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 and he was arrested and then sent to one year rigorous imprisonment by the then British in Mandi jail. Says the Mandi Sadar MLA and former telecom minister Mr Sukh Ram “Swami Purnanand was the President of the Pradesh Congress Committee in 1952. Swami Purnanand became first member of the All India Congress Committee from Himachal”. He worked to strengthen the cooperative movement, Saryodya and Bhudan movements in the state. After his release in 1943 Swami Purnananada championed the Hill Council movement and Praja Mandal movements for the formation of Himahchal Pradesh. “He has had close links with the first Prime Minister late Jawahar Lal Nehru and Gandhi
family”.
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Bamboo forests disappearing
The fast disappearing bamboo forests in the region are leading to the spread of lantana and other harmful weeds. The unchecked growth of wild weeds is causing concern among farmers and other communities dependent on the crop, as they are ill-equipped to cope up with the situation. Moreover the below normal monsoon this year also slowed down the pace of bamboo growth. The wild weeds are fast spreading in the forests causing alarm bells. The bamboo forest area, spread over an area of around 900 hectares in the Solan forest division, witnessed flowering of bamboo after a gap of 45 years in the beginning of last year. But bamboo plants in the Solan division have now completely dried up in most of the area. On an average it takes 10 years for a bamboo forest to grow completely. The lantana and other weeds have gradually covered the area under the bamboo forest. The flowering phenomenon has not only caused problem for farmers but put a negative effect on rural economy based on bamboo. Though bamboo was not an important part of rural agro economy here like in the country’s North East area but its disappearance from scene could prove a set back to those whose livelihood was based on it. Senior foresters reveal that livelihood of some of the Swarozgari families depends on bamboo. As per a study conducted by the Solan Forest Division, on Bamboo Benefit-Cost-Ration (BCR), 92 villages fall in the bamboo region out of which, 3,224 villagers belonging to 29 villages of this region, in Pratha, Neri Kalan and Kaba Kalan panchayats could be adversely affected because of disappearing crop of bamboo. Besides these villages the Banjaras community is also dependent on bamboo for a livelihood. Being artisans they make baskets, chapatti boxes, kiltas, rudimentary furniture and certain other items for a living out of bamboo. The nomadic goat heard community called Gaddis, also depend on these forests for rearing their animal stock. The danger of developing wild weeds in dried up bamboo forest could also affect fodder availability for animals from the forest. A project designed by the Solan Forest Division to save bamboo in the area has however failed to get a nod from authorities. The Rs 3.80 cr project was aimed at saving and protecting the bamboo forest through a systematic regeneration of bamboo forest over an area of 1267 hectares. Apart from closure and artificial regeneration of the forestlands, certain entry point activities such as improvement of access, water sources and micro-irrigation systems were also planned under the project.
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For anaemia-free India
With as many as 80 per cent being afflicted with anaemia, including 10 per cent having severe anaemia, the lack of awareness coupled with low nutrition diet has taken toll on the health of the children studying at Government Primary School, Kothon near Solan.
It was during a health camp organized by the Lions Club, Solan, in collaboration with the local chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA), that this deficiency disease was detected. Out of the 150 children tested, as many as 50 were found to have weak eyesight, while at least 100 had dental problems like caries. One child was found afflicted with jaundice. The health camp was organized on the occasion of Children’s Day. The club’s president, Dr Ashok Handa, who is also the joint secretary of the state’s chapter of the IMA, said it was shocking to see such a high incidence of these diseases in children in the age group of 5 to 12 years. Free iron and folic acid tablets for low haemoglobin treatment were distributed, to mark the beginning of the Anaemia Free India campaign launched by the club. Those requiring in-depth check ups have been asked to visit the Regional Hospital at Solan where they can be given spectacles and treated for other ailments, confided Dr Handa. The poor economic standard of the families coupled with ignorance have led to these diseases. The club members have pledged to extend such camps to other government schools under the banner of “Anaemia Free India”, in association with the local branch of the Indian Medical Association. The club has arranged medicines from some liberal donors. The club’s chief secretary of Child Care, Ms Madhu Aggarwal, who had come all the way from Delhi, lauded the efforts of the club members.
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Passion to educate
Settled in a small town, Amb, of Una district, this young woman has been educating the locals in computers and software management for the past seven years now. Is there benevolence of mind at 18 or the passion to be the best at 19? Flip through the pages of Manu’s life and you’ll be convinced that this could be. At an age when most girls step excitedly into a college, 19-year-old Manu had discovered her calling. She began teaching computers at her own institute. And this was at a time when a girl attending college was taboo in this area, not to mention how alien was the concept of computer education. “Yes, I had to face very tough times. No computer parts or hardware was available here, and computers had to be taken to Chandigarh even for minor repairs. Then, there were boys who made fun of me. They mocked that how could a girl run her own institute, and teach boys.” However, the spirit of dedication and commitment kept her soldiering on. “Nothing could hold back my passion to educate others. I was really moved to see how people of nearby villages were holding the girls back, limiting them to getting married and bearing children. So, I started with just one computer in a small room in my house. Initially, I had to visit many parents and personally convince them about educating girls professionally. I convinced them that how after being educated, a girl would not stop milking cows or sweeping cow dung.” Manu’s confidence ushered in an empowering wave. Starting from just three boy students (as girls would not come), she now has about 30 girl students too. “I began by operating from a humble room in my house with just one computer, and today I have five computers, my own institute and yes, lots of girls,” she beams. And as for her personal learning graph, Manu is going places. “I did my diploma in software management from Panchkula, but teaching has made me learn a lot more. I’ve grown in a hundred ways and realised what true giving is all about,” muses the woman who’s also teaching embroidery, painting and fashion designing to rural girls at a nominal fee. Her ability to not just dream but live these too has put a ray of hope glowing on her happy face!
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Tribesmen’s trek to temple
The Krishna temple at Yula Kanda, situated near a beautiful lake at a height of 13, 500 feet and flanked by majestic peaks, is an attractive place for pilgrims, nature lovers and tourists.
The celestial abode remains closed for most parts of the year though shepherds graze their cattle on the alpine pastures around the temple during the months of August, September and October. Chasing the clouds in the sky, one has to trek for about five hours from Yula village, the nearest road link near Tapri, to reach this place. Every year on Janmashtami, hundreds of tribal people from Yula and the surrounding villages go to the mountaintop at the temple to celebrate the festival. It is believed that on Janmashtami, the pilgrims, after offering prayers at the temple, head for the Kinner Kailash yatra. The monsoon goes away during this time of the year offering safe passage for trekking to the Kinner Kailash pilgrimage centre, situated at a height of more than 6,500 metres. Another belief associated with Janmashtami is that from this auspicious day the harvesting season of apples and other forest-based products begins. For the tribal people of Kinnaur, who have been following Hinduism, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna is considered an auspicious time to begin any new work, take up a pilgrimage or start harvesting. Mostly, the elderly in the family go on a pilgrimage while women and the children help in harvesting the crops. This is a tradition
that was widely prevalent till a few decades back until Buddhism came to this tribal belt. This is perhaps the only occasion when the tribal people gather together at the temple to offer prayers. This once-in-a-year gathering tends to show a
close interaction between the socio-economic and religious aspects of the local people’s lives. The most striking factor about the religious system of the tribal people is its seemingly harmonious blending of various traditions.
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Shifting pain
Internal politics” is cited as one of the reasons for shifting Dr R. P. Government Medical College and Hospital from Dharamsala to Tanda. The building for the 500-bedded hospital, costing nearly Rs 54 crore, has been ready since the beginning of this year and the hospital was to be shifted by May 30.
First the shifting was delayed by two months as it did not get clearance from some government departments. Ms M. Suda Devi, SDM, Kangra, said the delay also happened, as furniture and other equipment, supposed to be supplied by the HSCC, were not received in time. More than five months had passed but shifting of this hospital is still a distant reality. According to a source, the shifting of the hospital will not be possible till next year because of non-supply of equipment and furniture. The sources say the shifting of the hospital is being delayed keeping the February 2008 elections in mind. Dr N. K. Kashuk, Principal, Dr R.P. Government Medical College and Hospital, , said the newly-appointed Medical Superintendent, Dr Suresh Sankian, had started taking over the new building. He said every day one or two departments were being taken over by the management and it would take at least a fortnight to take over the entire building after checking the inventories. The building was constructed by the HSCC (India) Ltd, Noida, and it would have 17 operating theaters, including seven minor ones. All major departments would have infrastructure, including fire fighting, fire detection, controlled air conditioning and lifts. Dr Kashuk said tenders for furniture had already been issued. But equipment worth Rs 54 crore, which is to be imported, is awaiting government approval. He said this would be the first medical college in the country with a blood-bank facility with a separate blood bank component centre.
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The happiest people are believed to be those whose work is motivated not just by money and status but also by passion and commitment. However, in today’s day and age, such examples are rare to come by. And especially if you are a girl, born in a village of Himachal Pradesh, where even educating a girl is taboo, it appears far-fetched to set up your own enterprise and better the lot of others as well. Twentysix-year-old Manu Dhiman is one such enterprising new-age woman.