shimla diary
Will Maya’s trick work?
The social engineering carried out by Mayawati has worked wonders for the BSP in Uttar Pradesh and the question being asked here is—will a similar exercise carried out by the main parties in the Shimla Municipal Corporation poll do the trick? Both the ruling Congress and the main Opposition BJP have allotted tickets keeping in view the composition of the electorate in various wards. — Photo by S. Chandan

Devta’s Day Out
Chaturmukh Devta visits Kedarnath after 70 years
The temple of Chaturmukh Mehlan Devta is 80 km from Shimla in Mehlan village of Kotgarh. In upper Shimla every family has a kul devta and Chaturmukh is the family devta of Thakurs of Kotgarh and Khaneti (Kotkhai). The devta’s temple is constructed in Shikhar style and is a marvel in architecture. The devta premises has a Bhagwati temple known as Mata Kedar and was brought 150 years ago from Kedarnath.

Jail inmates turn artists
Giving expression to their creativity while the prisoners are confined in jail helps them keep their sanity. They make exquisite jewellery, designer clothes, paintings and other pieces of art. Like the inmates at Tihar, professionals in designing jewellery, candles and clothes will give training to prisoners at various jails in Himachal.

Trapped in age-old practices
Women might have attained great heights in every field of life, but those living in rural areas of some parts of the state are still subjected to old practices.

Ayurvedic hospital understaffed
The Government Ayurvedic Hospital at Sirmour district is both understaffed and under-equipped. The earlier 10-bed hospital has now been upgraded to 25 beds, and is also housed in a newly constructed building. However, the recent changes have failed to take into account the need for increasing the requisite staff.

Summer Fest gets underway
The Shimla Summer Festival will be an elaborate affair, extending to a full month from May 15.