vignettes
Long live Shimla ADC

The December 23, 2006 was the day when Shimla Amateur Dramatic Club (ADC) handed over the reins of The Gaiety Theatre to the Language and Culture Department, shifted to a new venue within The Gaiety Complex but retained its original name and the year of birth – 1837. IN GAY ABANDON: Gaiety Theatre on the Mall is still considered a major landmark of Shimla. —Photo by Anil Dayal

 Overloaded buses defy norms

In utter disregard for High Court directions, private buses in the region are having a gala time using pressure horns and running high decibel music systems. Though the state’s highest court has banned their use there is little adherence to the directives in the absence of regulation by the transport authorities. PROBLEM OF PLENTY: Overloaded buses are a common sight at Solan. —Photo by Ranesh Rana

shimla Diary
No-snow show for skaters

Queen of hills has been reeling under severe cold with the minimum temperatures remaining below freezing point in the first week of January. However, there has not been a trace of snow so far. ICE ICE BABY: Skating enthusiasts brave the sub zero temperatures to make the best of mild snow fall this season. —Photo by Anil Dayal

hamirpur Diary
Driving licenses in 3 days
Taking a lead in the region, Hamirpur has become the first district where driving licences and registration copy of vehicles will be issued in just three working days at the three e-governance centres set up in the sub-divisions of Hamirpur, Barsar and Nadaun.

 Artist of the mountains
The Himalayas have inspired scholars, artists, adventures and poets since time immemorial. The oil paintings of Sukh Das, a ‘Himalayan painter’, born in the valley captures myriads moods of the mountains.

MOUNTAIN MAGIC: Sukh Das (left) continues to capture the moods of the Himalayas. (Right) An oil painting by the artist. —Photos by Chaman Sharma

No investigators for DNA tests
Though the state government has upgrades the State Forensic Laboratory at Junga with the Rs 70 lakh equipment for DNA Profiling, in order to speed up police investigations is suffering because of a lack of trained staff including forensic psychiatrists, anesthetists and other experts to conduct these tests to speed up investigation in the state.