`5 News Weekly Pages 8 Regd. No HPENG/2017/73985 Shimla Vol. I Issue 23 January 13, oPINIoN Bridging the gap for toddlers Page 06 A fact of Himachal Pradesh The Silk Route The legendry silk route trusted to have been the path for traders to go into China, Ladakh and Tibet is traversing through Himachal Pradesh It matters No scoop for Ice hockey Page 05 Glum blues amidst long dry spell 2018 Good Sun and charismatic skies though get nice warmth for Shimlaits in this bitting cold of January. Yet sunny blues might give to way to snow whites someday this month is the heart held hope of the city. The long spell is causing worry that the capital might loose the charms of snow this winter. Equally important it is for farmers, hotelairs and many others who prosper with a spell or two in the city. With no such weather movement likely till the 16 th January, chances of good snow in city are going bleak thus adding to worry of all who cherish it.
02 News Saturday, January 13, 2018 Public money wasted on state guests They said that the instances quoted through the data are just samples. As there are many such other cases, which cannot be reproduced here for the sake of brevity. The people, who were declared as the state guests, do not fall in any category as per rules. They never visited the State on any official duty connected with the affairs of the state. Apparently, the state lacked power to designate these persons as State Guests, added PeRGo. Our cOrrespOndent Shimla T he government holds all resources of the state in form of a trustee, through the power which is ultimately vested to them by the people of the state. However mostly it is being witnessed that the people’s trust vested in their government is breached due to advancing of personal interest by these position holders. PeRGo (people for responsible governance) a society of conscious citizens of the state has compiled a data based on RTI information. The data compiled is pertaining to the misuse of powers vested in the Government for designating a person as State Guest and spending huge amounts of money on them from the state exchequer contrary to the rules framed on the subject. HP State Guest rules 1990 which deal with situations under which a person can be designated as the State Guest and is conferred with hospitality of the state. The rules provide for four categories of State Guests. ‘Category 1 consists of high dignitaries including the President of India, Vice President, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and Judges of Supreme Court, Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, Governor of States, etc. Except for first four in this category, the rest are entitled to hospitality only for 3 days and up to four family members. The Category-II consists of Chairmen of various Commissions and Boards, Chief Justice of High Courts, Chief Secretaries of State, etc. However, importantly they shall be treated as the State Guests only if they are on official duty connected with the affairs of State of Himachal Pradesh. Category-III consists of those Very 1. Raja Rampal, former Member of Parliament (MP) and Secretary, All India Congress Committee, was designated as the State Guest on twelve occasions. The purpose of his meeting was to address the Congress meeting at Rajiv Bhawan, Shimla and meeting with the Chief Minister. 2. Raj Babbar, Actor and MP (Rajya Sabha) was also declared as the State Guest to participate in Kisan Satyagrah at Nahan organized by the State Youth Congress on 06.06.2015 and later visit to other parts of the state of Himachal Pradesh. 3. K. Raju, Chairman, All India Congress Committee, Scheduled Caste Department was declared as the Chief Guest for presiding over the Scheduled Caste Convention at Congress Bhawan, Shimla from 13.03.2015 to 15.03.2015. 4. Preity Zinta, Bollywood Actress was declared as the State Guest from 24.10.2015 to 26.10.2015 during her visit to Kangra, H.P. 5. Brahm Rishi Shri Kumar Swamy was declared as the State Guest with effect from 01.05.2016 to 05.05.2016 to preside over a religious function held at Mandi, H.P. Similarly, in other occasions during 2014 & 2015 as well, he was declared as the State Guest. 6. 7. G. Sanjeeva Reddy, M.P. and President, INTUC (Trade Union Wing of the Congress Party) was declared as the State Guest from 26.03.2015 to 27.03.2015 to participate in the Working Committee meeting of INTUC. Girija Vyas, Former Union Minister, was declared as the State Guest with effect from 19.05.2015 to 23.05.2015 to participate in a meeting of Intellectual Wing of H.P. Congress Committee and to promote circulation of Congress Sandesh. 8. Shobha Ojha, President, All India Mahila Congress was declared as the State Guest from 20.05.2015 to 22.05.2015 to attend Mahila Convention at Rajiv Gandhi Congress Bhawan, Shimla organized by the H.P. Congress Committee. 9. Family members of Kapil Sibbal, Advocate and Former Union Minister and Lawyer for former Chief Minister, Shri Virbhadhra Singh were declared as the State Guests during their visit to Chandigarh and Kasauli with effect from 17.07.2015 to 18.07.2015. 10. K. Raju, Chairman, All India Congress Committee was declared as the State Guest from 29.10.2015. 11. Mahender Joshi, Chief Organizer, All India Congress Seva Dal, was declared as the State Guest from 21.02.2016 to 23.02.2016. 12. Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh was declared as the State Guest from 15.09.2015 to 25.09.2015. He was entitled to Z+ category security in addition to other courtesies. SPECIFIC INSTANCES (Not exhaustive) Some of the people from the total list who were declared state guests ignoring rules as claimed by PeRGo Important Persons (VIPs), who are on official visit/ tour connected with affairs of the state, and can be declared as the State Guests for a period of 3 days. Category-IV consists of dignitaries/ delegations that visit state in connection with affairs of any Department/ Board/ Corporation of the State.’ The society says that the state ends up spending huge amount of public money towards the expenses incurred on these state guests. For example, providing appropriate security to the state guest shall involve the provision of armed police personnel round the clock along with vehicles and other infrastructure. Even the hospitality includes complementary stay, food, transport, and other facilities of official courtesy they added. They said that the data, compiled by them under RTI Act shows that how the power to designate persons as the state guest is misused at the cost of state exchequer and to please the important and powerful persons. They said that the instances quoted through the data are just samples. As there are many such instances, which cannot be reproduced here for the sake of brevity. The category of people, who were declared as the state guests, do not fall in any category as per rules. They never visited the State on any official duty connected with the affairs of the state. Apparently, the state lacked power to designate these persons as State Guests, added PeRGo. “Or in other words, the powers were abused. Yet to ponder over that who would fix the responsibility of those who have power vested in them through people of the country?” summoned PeRGo. Job Oppertunity The local tabloid is hiring reporters for Shimla & Solan. The applicant must have a bachelors degree in Jounalism and Mass communication. Freshers may also apply. Call us at 9418022679 or mail himachalscape@gmail.com Part time Full time
Saturday, January 13, 2018 IT maTTers Students rue for solution to RUSA Since RUSA was an integral part of education policy of the union government to bring about qualitative improvement in education and huge chunk of funds are rooted through RUSA, any move to scrap RUSA would be detrimental to the interest of the state. So prima fascia new ruling party back the system. Vishal sarin Shimla The previous govern ment hastily in a bid to eye financial aid from the Choice based Credit System (CBCS) adopted RUSA. From its beginning the system was dejected by most students and teachers alike who viewed the system to be impractical for the hills. In the mountain the colleges are located in very fragile locations due to which practicability cannot be achieved for adopting such system said experts. Even though that the BJP made an aggressive poll promise of doing away with the RUSA system might become a thorn in their flesh now. dents of various wings hav chored huge hopes from the party who made the promise. “No decision has been taken on RUSA and also on scraping the semester system so far. The shortcomings and bottlenecks in implementation of the RUSA are being identified”, stated Suresh Bhardwaj, Education Minister Thakur from Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) stated that their agitation though is not against the system, but they are offended with the way it is being implemented. She said that the protest is against the semester system in CBCS. The semester system should be scrapped to the earlier form of yearly examination. And the CBCS should be re worked as it does not hold any relevance in the place like Himachal Pradesh where professional options are limited. S i n c e RUSA was an integral part of education policy of the union government to bring about qualitative improvement in education and huge chunk of funds are rooted through RUSA, any move to scrap RUSA would be detrimental to the interest of the state. So prima fascia it seems the new ruling party might not roll back the system. The new Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj stated recently that they are not taking any hasty steps and would also seek suggestions while teacher - - as required under CBCS. The under from academicians and experts, before taking any decision. The new minister said that the new government would first look into the challenges of the system like inadequate infrastructure, shortage of teaching staff and weakness in Choice based Credit System (CBCS) and then would plan accordingly. “No decision been taken on RUSA and also on scraping the semester system so far and the shortcomings implementation being identified”, stated Bhardwaj. The semester system under RUSA has increased the workload as examinations are held twice a year and the in the absence of supporting staff, the declaration of results were delayed inordinately, causing unrest. The students as well as teaching staff were up in arms against RUSA and the University remained on boil for nearly two years but the government took a tough stand and RUSA was not rolled back. The students’ organisations including ABVP and SFI vehemently opposed RUSA staffing is not only in the University but also in colleges under CBCS as teachers are overworked. Therefore failure to streamline the examination system and delay in declaration of results cost dear to the students, aspiring for admissions in other universities and institutions for perusing higher education. However if this new government is not able to resolve the issue before opening of the new session in the university, student agitations are bound to continue raging thus affecting the entire atmosphere of any education system. ABVP said that the agitation would continue till their demands are agreed upon. Other two students (SFI and NSUI) wings also share a similar viewpoint and threaten to continue agitation till the RUSA is scrapped as promised by the BJP. ABVP said that the agitation would continue till their demands are agreed upon. Other two students (SFI and NSUI) wings also share a similar viewpoint and threaten to continue agitation till the RUSA is scrapped as promised by the BJP. 03
04 IT maTTers Saturday, January 13, 2018 Missing icing on the cake for city skaters grieved that even the yearly carnival does not happen anymore. Due to reduced and untimely skating period the yearly carnival scheduled every year any day in December, hasn’t taken place since 2 years. In fact the pioneer skating rink of the country has not even hosted a single national or international ice skating tournament after 2015-16 due to uncertainty. Some skaters complained that the The photo of the rink taken on the first day of 2018 depicts that how changes are effecting skating. Even after the peak winter month of December gone complete rink failed to freeze with only a patch of Ice for skaters to relish on. Pic by: Chanchal Vishal sarin Shimla E ven though 2018 got some cheers among skaters, 2017 happened to be worst year for ice skating in Shimla. A total of 11 sessions were witnessed in this year thus putting down morale of skating enthusiast, who ponder is the rink going to have future here in Shimla? The delayed session started on December 27, 2016 and ended abruptly on January 2, 2017. Even 2017-18 seasons started on a low note but is moving on nicely with continues skating since beginning of the New Year. In December 2017 however, only 4-5 sessions were possible. Prior to this the lowest number of skating sessions was 12 in 1972. Till early years of the new century skating in the Shimla skating would start in the first week of December and last till about end of January to early week of February. However past 10 years the trend being witnessed has been threatening. Due to multiple reasons Ice skating in the only natural skating rink of Asia has been reducing, except for one or two exceptions. Experts state that reasons for the reduction in freezing of ice is happening due lack of modern means for upkeep of ground, unplanned construction activity around the area, missing tree line around the ground and increasing temperatures. They say going by this trend another decade and skating from this historic mark of Shimla would simply perish. The rink which established in 1920 is a huge attraction for tourists and locals alike in winters. Skaters say that if something not done soon, then this threat could become a reality soon. They fondly remembered the days when by this period the ground was completely frozen and sides were covered with piles of snow extract left after skating. “Tourists would think of it as real snow and play in it,” they added. Some children No of Skating sessions year wise 100 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 0 rink never evolved with the changing face of time, thus landing into such position now. They said that since the management of the rink is members controlled funding for expensive projects always is a hard task. Adding that, a club management might not also have the expertise to push their case in the stringent government circles. “But since the rink is a heritage of the state also, it is the duty of the government to extend all possible support,” they demanded. Since it is visible that temperatures and ecology are fast changing, modern means should be applied faster, to keep the skating heritage alive for days to come, they summoned. Sources inform that around Rs. 8 crore is to be spent for developing Ice skating Rink at Shimla as well as other infrastructure like cafeteria, public toilets, changing room, waiting hall, and parking. Though, not the entire skating rink but only a part would have the underground chilling pipes, enabling prolonged skating as part of this project. The Union Tourism and Civil Aviation Ministry has agreed to fund this project, they informed. They said that the funding for the ice skating is part of the Rs 100-crore approved by Union Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation under its Savdesh Darshan project for HP. When contacted officials from department of tourism and civil aviation Himachal Pradesh informed that a 8 crore grant has been budgeted for the development of Ice skating rink, but the funds haven’t been allocated yet by the union government. They said that in the first phase of the ‘Savdesh Darshan’ project only 6 out of the 14 projects approved have been allocated budget. “And Ice skating rink is not a part of them. Once they are complete and a utilization certificate is sent to the union ministry, the other 8 shall be taken up,” they informed. However, that this will change the status of this rink from a completely natural to a semi-artificial rink even yet it will be operational for a longer duration of time in a year, hoped skaters. But only to ponder that what if like many other projects this one also goes behind in the priority list of the decision makers, then skating might perish from Shimla forever. The data depicts how changing conditions have affected skating in the Natural rink. The avarage skating sessions as per this data of last 11 years have come down to 45 as compared to earlier times of the previous century when due to favourable conditions minimum average 90 sessions took place. Picture credit: Alam Porle
Saturday, January13 2018 IT maTTers 05 No scoop for Ice hockey Photos used for indicative purpose only In the recent Ice hockey U20 Challenge cup of Asia our National team got the last position. Other teams participating here were Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, Philippines and UAE; Encouraging it was learning that nations where not even the weather conditions promote a sport like Ice Hockey, have made it to such level. But totally discouraging for our nation which figures nowhere in these U 20 seeding. There is acute lack of infrastructure required for promotion of the game stated a Ice hockey player. He said that to produce good talent all year rinks are required. “And rinks with international dimensions, added a U 20 player from the team Vishal sarin Shimla E ven after having the highest mountains and some of coldest places of the globe our nation seems to be lacking far behind in global map of Ice hockey. Depressing it became to learn that in the recent Ice hockey U20 Challenge cup of Asia our team scored the last position. Other teams participating here were Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, Philippines and UAE. The tournament was organized under the aegis of International Ice hockey federation (IIHF). The IIHF Ice Hockey Challenge Cup of Asia gives Asian countries that are not in the World Championship program, or that play in the lowest division, a chance to compete. It shall also help develop hockey in Asia and help rank the Asian teams in view of the seeding for the Asian Winter Games. Encouraging it was learning that Nations where not even the weather conditions promote a sport like Ice Hockey, have made it to such level. But totally discouraging for our nation which figures nowhere in these U 20 seeding. Ice hockey as sport is being perused in parts of country since more than half a century. Due to favorable weather conditions Ladakh and Shimla are considered abodes for the sport. Even Uttrakhand has areas favorable for promotion of the game. Yet the result in this tournament suggests that still a lot of work has to be done for promotion of this sport. “The most important thing is proper planning and development of infrastructure for the game,” stated a player of the recent U20 ice hockey team on condition of anonymity. He said that there is acute lack of infrastructure required for promotion of the game. He said that to produce good talent all year rinks are required. “And rinks with international dimensions, he stressed. As one of reasons for losing in this tournament was that our players took time acclimatizing with the dimension of the ice hockey rink, though we were not far behind from our opponents in the quality of the game,” he summoned. “However here even if some infrastructure is developed, it is done in a way that nobody can benefit of it,” rued an ice hockey enthusiast Abhay. While stating example he said that an all weather rink in Dehradun, which was incepted in 2010 but closed down in 2012 as ice skating sports could not find any takers in the place. He said that if an all weather rink is developed in Dehradun or any other place in the plains of the country then it would not help. Reason that masses of such areas are hardly acquitted with this sport and thus such ice sport facilities would not find any takers. He said that if such a rink would have been created in Shimla or Ladakh, then perhaps could have been beneficial for development. “As these places have ice hockey enthusiasts who understand the sport and want to pursue it,” he suggested. Sources state that in the early eighties an ice skating rink was attempted in Delhi, which too met the same fate as the Dehradun one. They state that countries like UAE and Philippines started developing Data source IIHF website infrastructure for this sport in early eighties. “That’s why they have imroved their quality of game,” added sources. The same league is to be followed but in a planned manner as ice hockey is played in only 3-4 states of our country. And thus infrastrucThe Association Ice Hockey Assication of India (IHAI) Ice hockey association of India (IHAI) is the body responsible in the country for promotion of sports. As per the website there are 11 members in this association. Association when contacted informed us very reluctantly that efforts are being done for promotion of the sport. They said that even the Dehradun rink was committed to be opened by the current Union government in May 2015, but nothing happened. Ruing they also complained that the central/state governments should invest on building infrastructure, as they have done for other sports. Usually it has been witnessed that central/state government invest large sum of amounts for development of sports which are commonly played in the country. Ice hockey since is played in a very limited area of the country especially in states which have very small stakes in the national scenario, thus tends to get ignored by the center and state governments, explained skating enthusiast Vikram. He questioned that when one knows that they are lacking the infrastructure, then why would a National team be sent to represent the Nation. Instead first create quality infrastructure and then take it forward so that team performances can be more graceful, he summoned. However sources allege that even the association like many others in the country is being governed through political or influential stakeholders who while sitting in Delhi cannot feel the pulse of the game. Alook at the IHAI website also suggests that nothing much has been happening under the aegis of this association to display or talk about. Infact in teams section of website the National team listed even till date is of Team India - CCOA 2015, Kuwait, which talks a lot about the seriousness of the National association. Sources further state that in lack funding even players have to invest from their pockets for representing the nation in such tournament. They state that in such scenario eligible talent tends to get ignored. And the ones who then represent the National Flag are mostly non deserving. tural development should also happen on same lines. If we start today then it shall take at least 10 years to groom the right talent for achievement at Asia level.” Though world championship would still be distant dream, they summoned.
06 opINIoN The tender, that is the children are one of the worst victims of the impact of climate change. According to WHO, more than 88% of the existing global burden of disease due to climate change occurs in children less than 5 years of age. Nearly half a million children die before the age of 5 years. tikender panwar Shimla C limate change impacts all. The vulnerable sections in the society face the larger wrath. Vulnerability may be in terms of class, social, gender or even ‘tender’. The tender, that is the children are one of the worst victims of the impact of climate change. Even the disasters have a greater impact on the children than the adults. According to WHO, more than 88% of the existing global burden of disease due to climate change occurs in children less than 5 years of age. Nearly half a million children die before the age of 5 years. In the low socio-economic status, the vulnerability is high. The poor are affected the worst not just because of their economic impediment which definitely is, but also because they are dependent largely on natural resources for their livelihood. Once these natural resources gethit, the impact is greatest on the poverty-stricken families. It is in this background that the Gorakhpur environment action group Photo used for indicative purpose only. so, what needs to be done in the cities is to make them child resilient and adaptive for the shocks? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. Preparation of DRR plans of the cities and not to be left only at the district level. Creation of the city disaster management authority with statutory powers. Integrating the Sustainable development goals in the overall planning strategy. Focus has to be made on poverty, education. Mainstreaming the DRRs and integrating the children within the ambit. While preparation of the DRR plans involving the children in doing so. Also discussing the action plan with them. Specific risks to children within each city should be identified and ways to seek adequate redressal. The mitigation strategy should spell out explicitly the way in which children will be dealt. Mapping of schools within the city and discussing with the children the DRR strategies. In the smart city paradigm bringing in a clause of children vulnerability and making cities smarter for the children by engaging with them during the preparation of plans and actions. While preparing these plans use of spatially mapping technologies to point out the vulnerabilities of Fire, Flood, Earthquake. Doing the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the cities preparation for the risks and disasters and integrating the component of children in it. The plan for night shelters in the cities. Turning the school into a laboratory of experiments with the formation of eco clubs, eco-crusaders etc for awareness and awakening. Monitoring of the nutritional surveillance system. 15. Proper enrolment of migrant children and counselling while enrolling them. in the city. Empowering the urban local bodies and strengthening of the CDMA. Ensuring land tenements rights to the slums with proper water and sanitation coverage. Development of the master plan for blue and green infrastructure. Relook at the pedagogy and andragogy methods of teaching with focus on adaptability. Through the various stakeholders bringing back the development deficit or the role of the state with pro-active intervention. Preparation of city resilience index of the cities with clear mention and focus on children vulnerability. Resilience of the children to be strengthened continuously and not just waiting for the disasters to happen. Relooking at the matrix of relationship in between children development and its linkage to children environment. A soft combination of technology and economy for better governance of cities has to be thought of and implemented. But, the moot point is who will ensure that these important lessons drawn are implemented effectively in the preparation of plans and even reflected in the actions. And for that who is a big question mark. The city government? some other structure of multistakeholders? It is difficult to answer both these questions. As in the given circumstances and the objective factors the cities in India hardly represent the true spirit of governance which lies in some other power quarters. Nevertheless, the importance of the city governments cannot be hooked aside. Hence what is required is a combination of multi- stakeholders within the city at the initiative of the city government (building their capacities) to bridge this gap so that the cities are safe for us and safer for our children. Adding the component of health building in urban planning Capacity building of the functionaries and the community dealing with the city. Continuous information sharing between various stakeholders. (GEAG) has taken the initiative to map the vulnerabilities of the children living in cities and the draw an action plan to mitigate and adapt to the impending disasters. The strategic directions are to build child care and child friendly cities. Probably which rests on the five pillars of essentialities. Namely: - 1. Health 2. Education 3. 4. Nutrition 5. WaSH (water, sanitation & hygiene) Child protection. All of these remain strong elements of planning in the cities to ensure that the cities become child friendly and resilient to the climate change vulnerabilities. If the present period is termed as a state of emergency; it would not be a hyped statement. This also means that something has to be done promptly but also with affirmative actions so that the visibility is clear. The questions arise who will do this. Is this the job of some NGOs to really set the ball rolling? Or is it the state that has to play a pivotal role in mitigating the crisis? It seems both. And many more have to be brought in for assessing, mapping, action and monitoring of the tasks undertaken to ensure that the cities become safe for children especially in extreme weather conditions and disasters. For this, the disaster risk reduction plans according to the Sendai framework have to be prepared emphasising the importance of children. Even a child friendly version of the Sendai Framework needs to be developed especially for the 10-14 age group akin to many other cities of the world. Saturday, January 13, 2018 Bridging the gap for toddlers
Saturday, January 13, 2018 a look arouNd 07 The journey without the Toy-train In those days Kalka was a tiny railway station with no platform and no shed. Every day, one train arrived. Outside there were trees of Neem, Peepal, Shesham and Jacaranda. Togas – the horse carriages, bullock carts, mahawoats with their elephants waited outside utensils, carpets, drawing room sundries, servant’s cots, iron bath, cheval glass and plate baskets. All above was divided on nearly Photo of the toy train arriving at the famous Barog Station. Courtesy Internet sumit raj Vashist kalka www.ShimlawalkS.com I am here at Kalka Railway station, sitting on an orange color bench made of concrete. Like any other railway station of a growing town in India this also has the same features. Tea stalls, railway bogies parked in the yards, water taps, coolies smoking bidis and waiting for the trains to arrive, railway engines shunting between the yards and the railway station, some luggage carts laying here and there and some empty railway lines waiting for the trains to arrive. To the westerns end of Kalka Railway Station is the loco-shed with a work shop behind it, where the locomotives are parked and repaired. Kalka is the termination point for the trains coming from the other parts of India and the mountain railway for this part of Himalaya originates from here rising up to the elevation of 2200 meter at Shimla. Toy Train to Shimla is a marvel feat of engineering by the Scottish engineers. Constructed at the turn of the nineteenth century this railway served as a great help to the British for moving up the winter capital every year. First they built railway track till Kalka and got it connected to the winter capital of India, Calcutta – now Kolkata, and then in 1898 initiated the project to lay the railway track till Shimla. In those days Kalka was a tiny railway station with no platform and no shed. Every day, one train arrived. Outside there were trees of Neem, Peepal, Shesham and Jacaranda. Togas – the horse carriages, bullock carts, mahawoats with their elephants waited outside the railway station. The animals remained tied to the tree trunks and the carts and the carriages rested nearby with their front poles placed down. The scene outside the railway station was entirely different. The gate was generally blocked by the camel drivers, tonga-wallahs and mahawats of elephants. Every morning they waited for the train to arrive, bringing their customers. As the Howrah mail would reach Kalka the passengers were immediately approached by the ekka-wallahs, the As the Howrah mail would reach Kalka the passengers were immediately approached by the ekka-wallahs, the tonga-drivers and themahawats. Ladies and kids were assisted by them with ladders to get off the compartments. tonga-drivers and themahawats. Ladies and kids were assisted by them with ladders to get off the compartments. The tonga drivers anxiously waited for the spring time and waited for their Sahibs and Mem-Sahibs arriving by train. Here came the month of March and they began to arrive outside Kalka railway station. Some of them did receive a letter from their sahibs well in advance and had it read through the postman or some school teacher. Sahibs and their families, when arrived were completely exhausted due to the long and tiresome journey on the rickety bogies with wooden seats and open windows with no shutters or flaps, hauled by steam locomotives. Only a few stations had the facilities of food and water. No one traveled light in those days. They carried not only their personal belongings but also they took their pets such as fowls in cages, dogs in crates and parrots and cats in other boxes. Passengers, on arrival at the Kalka railway station were directly approached and immediately, on asking, in case they required help and nodded, the bedrolls, trunks, boxes and other stuff was taken from them and loaded on the tongas. There was no chance for the passengers to wait or negotiate as they had fixed rates. A glass of cold water from the nearby pitcher stall was presented to the traveler, and as they were already exhausted after a tiring journey. The luggage was generally packed in large trunks and loaded on the camels and in the absence of the railway line the entire journey was covered by road. One family would carry all their clothing, plate chest, bonnet boxes, boxes containing books, folding chairs, cane chairs, saddle stand, mackintosh sheets, books, iron cots, tea table, pans, other utensils, screens, lamps, lanterns, hanging wardrobes, house linen, casks containing ornaments, ice-pails, door mats, crockery in the casks, filter pardah, bamboos, tennis poles, hot cases, milk safe, baby’s tub and stand, sewing machine, fender, irons, water cans, pitchers, boxes containing saddler, kitchen eleven or twelve camels or, also could be loaded on four or five country carts. More than four bullocks were required to pull one cart for uphill journey. Cows also accompanied the family and every morning the journey would start after milking them. In 1891 the railway line to Kalka from Ambala was opened but it took some more couple of years to begin the work on Kalka Shimla Railway. The burning heat of Indian Summers made people sweaty during whole of the journey from Calcutta, now Kolkata, to Kalka. The wooden box like railway compartments which had no fans fitted and air conditions were just like a dream. They creaked, rattled and bumped while moving on the steel rails and puffed hot wind through its window openings, kept the travelers humid. But their attention of the last There was no chance for the passengers to wait or negotiate as they had fixed rates. A glass of cold water from the nearby pitcher stall was presented to the traveler, and as they were already exhausted after a tiring journey. stretch of the journey, up to the hills, gave them enough energy to tolerate all that. The scenery throughout the journey was attractive. The travel through the villages and fields of wheat, rice or sugarcane provided various glimpses of Indian life between the different stations. The journey uphill was always an excitement for the passengers after they started from Kalka. The initial stretch was gradual but as they advanced towards the hills the road would become steeper and narrower. The other camel drivers, bullock cart owners and the organizers of the horse carriages could be seen waiting for the passengers or just shouting to their animals to run faster and also to the crowd asking for leaving space for their carts and carriages to move. The drivers were always in their traditional attires and felt proud to have a Gora-Sahib and his memsahib in his ‘gari’. The road uphill was dusty and bumpy and the tip-tap of the moving of the horse, the sound of the bells in his neck and the landscape of the foothills made the journey interesting and attractive. After every twelve miles or so they had to change the horse, so the travelers would get some time to relax. Oh ! the time has changed. In last century Kalka railway station has gone through much changes. I move to the outside of the railway station and stand at a distance to watch the activities of the taxi drivers. Now the railway station of has improved a lot. The shed provides shade during hot summer days and bottled water is available on the stalls. The entrance gate is a much improved with offices lining up from south to north. There is an enquiry counter manned by a clerk who is always busy chatting through his mobile phone and takes it as a burden to answer the public, making enquiries about the arrival and the departure of the trains. The porters are almost jobless. Time has played with their traditional way of working. Now several trains arrive in a day and the passengers arrive with the suitcases fitted with tinny wheels under them, so refuse to take the help of the porters. Outside the railway station there are hardly any trees of Neem, Sheesham and Peepal. All of them have been removed by the buildings. Instead of the ekkawallas and bullock carts now there is a taxi stand. The taxi drivers have formed a union that is well supported by the political parties. They no more offer any water to the passengers and do not help with their luggage. The passengers also do not trust them. They offer very high rates to travel to the hills and no one has the courage to negotiate with them.
08 eNTerTaINmeNT A simple cocktail for whisky lovers Saturday, January 13, 2018 Genticof character This is not stand alone reaping and harvesting. As we believe that our relation with such and such person was predestined we must believe that whatever we get from someone or pay to someone is also predestined. We become and remain only the mediums then what to boast of and why to cry for.... Vijay kumar Verma Shimla 'by Sanjeev Puri Mint Julep INDeGreNts scotch whisky:60 ml. Fresh mint leaves:10-15 leaves/ sprig sugar syrup/ sugar cubes:15 ml./ 02 number Crushed ice to top up. Glass:Hi- ball/ Large steel tumbler. Garnish:Lemon wedge. metHoD Put the mint leaves along with the sugar cubes/ sugar syrup and muddle to release the flavours. Pour the whisky. Fill with crushed ice stirring vigorously till the glass becomes frosty, garnish with a mint sprig and serve. S piritually speaking we are all made of five elements viz earth, fire, water, air and sky. These are the five ingredients of which we are born and to these elements alone we shall return. Now there are characteristics; physical and behavioral. The physical characteristics are drawn from the genetic admixture of parental components but the behavioral characters are formed of past karmas. As the parental characters include those of past generations similarly behavioral characters are drawn from not one but many a past lives. Those who believe in the theory of regression and progression are able to relate the individual character brought forward or preparing to carry over in the next life. If we believe this we must also be lieve that we ourselves are the creators and authors of our karmas. Taking it a little forward I would say that one is born to reap the harvest of one's past karmas, good or bad, as well to sow the harvest for one's future life. Here we must also remember that none of these karmas are to be reaped alone. Our relations of this life also bear the burnt as well as bask in the glory of past karmas of their offspring. This is not stand alone reaping and harvesting. we believe that our relation with such and such person was predestined we must believe that whatever we get from someone or pay to someone is also predestined. We become and remain only the mediums then what to boast of and why to cry for. If we take the example of what is supreme, the individual characters one is born with or the bringing up environment the child is reared in. What is more important one wonders? Can upbringing change the character of a person? Can Parwarish bring out a saint of a rowdy parentage? Astrologically speaking the children born under the specific placements of planets are likely to have a specific future. But are the identical twins born together ticu share a parlar character or Bhagaya? Truly speaking the answer is negative. Identical twins may be poles apart as far their characters and future is concerned. One wonders people going through daily horoscopes in various publications to know their day. In such a manner the entire population of the world is born under 12 signs of Zodiac can be divided in 12 groups and must share 12 types of forecast. How just alikes Bejan Daruwala predict so methodically each day or month of the year for these 12 groups of world population when none can predict the future of identical twins born under the same stars, place and time coordinates? Lacs of books are printed and reprinted world over to fleece the poor fatalists. Lacs of astrologers make their living out of these believers. In India almost all the Hindu marriages are solemnised with Pandits doing the match making by aligning the janampatris. They pronounce that 32 of the 36 gunas match. And post wedding the couple is not able to stay together for a day to the amusement of all relations and the family elders who had spent their fortunes to make the nuptials. Do we ever wonder that the four remaining gunas that didn't match are playing the spoil sport? The primitive school of thoughts believes that matches are made in heaven and solemnised on earth. Then are the break ups too decided in heaven and practised on earth? to be continued... Published & Printed by Vishal Sarin on behalf of Chanchal Sarin, Firwood Cottage, Upper Kaithu, Shimla. Printed at The Indian Express (P) Limited, C-5/Sector-6, Panchkula, Haryana. Editor: Vishal Sarin REGISTARATION No.: HPENG/2017/73985
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