My Himachal-At a peek : The year that went by Dear friends, our esteemed members and valued readers, Happy New Year! We at My Himachal are happy to present a yearly round up of various activities and achievements which are undoubtedly a small part of our struggle for the state-Himachal- which bounds us across the boundaries. To begin with we are happy to tell you that the maglet would be a monthly issue from now on, where every month we would try our best to give you an insight into the various facets that concern the state. Your feedback and comments would like always be appreciated. Hoping the New Year brings you boundless peace and joys. My Himachal announced a new team With the year beginning, My Himachal, the global Himachali organisation formed for state betterment in 2006 announced its new office bearer’s team today. Mr. Avnish Katoch who hails from Baijnath, Kangra has been elected the new President. Mr. Katoch the brainchild behind the move and co-founder of this non-profit organization is currently an IT consultant in Harrisburg (USA). Dr. Meena Pathania, a Dental Surgeon from Dharamshala currently based in California has been elected the Vice President. Dr. Des Kashyap, a Microbiologist from Kullu who is currently a research scientist at University of North Carolina, has been elected General Secretary. Mr. Sumant Sood, a research engineer in semiconductor field based in Vermont, US and originally from Una has been elected as Joint Secretary while Mr. Anil Chandel Brought To You By www.himachal.us
My Himachal-At a peek : The year that went by an entrepreneur and IT expert from Bilaspur was elected as Treasurer. Dr. Sudarshan Kumar Vatsyayan a young research scientist from Ghumarwin in Bilaspur district has been elected Vice President, India Chapter. Dr. Vatsyayan has made state proud recently when he bagged the prestigious first Safran and French Embassy Award, 2007. Currently he is Assistant Professor with IIT, Powai’s Department of Aerospace Engineering. The advisory board consists of Mr. Payson Stevens, artist, best selling author, a trained earth scientist, with past experience with NASA and formerly the founder of science companies, Mr. Sanjeeva Pandey IFS, Mr. Navin Katoch of Himachal Culture Association in Canada and Dr. Bhugol Chandel the outgoing President of My Himachal. My Himachal organized fourth Health Mela in Kullu My Himachal funded its fourth consecutive HEALTH MELA in Kullu working with the medical staff of the Jibhi CHAI project in the Upper Banjar Valley. Jibhi CHAI (part of Lady Willingdon Hospital (LWH), Manali) was under the direction of Dr. Jeph Mathias and included staff and doctors from LWH, local villagers, and volunteers. The NGO, SAHARA’s Kala Jatha (Street Theater) gave performances with health issue themes in the local language that was very well received. My Himachal provided donations of about $4500 USD (Rs.191, 385 INR) for the mela, Brought To You By www.himachal.us
My Himachal-At a peek : The year that went by said Mr. Avnish Katoch, President of My Himachal. My Himachal collaborates with SP Jain Institute of Management of Research (Mumbai) to save the weaver The campaign started by My Himachal in collaboration with SP Jain Institute of Management (Mumbai) carried a series of articles dedicated to the Traditional Kullu Shawl Weaving industry. The art of weaving which is a part of the Kullu tradition and pride has suffered a lot. The campaign focused on reviving this industry and presented a mixed bag of views, ideas, opinions, facts and ground realities. The main intention of the campaign being the spread of awareness about the state of this industry, its bottlenecks, brainstorm possible ways of removing them and to generate enough interest amongst the public to help the weaver regain his lost glory. The articles included guidance for tourists in order to purchase the original Kullu shawls, comparison of shawl industries at Ludhiana and Kullu, an insight into the various schemes launched by the Government as a month long study was conducted by Anoop H, Shilpa Kendre, Jyothsna Sekar, Shilpi Baral from SPJIMR (MUMBAI). The findings of the research were presented Prem Kumar Dhumal, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. Nonetheless, we were glad to see an insurance scheme being implemented by the Himachal government especially for the weavers.
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My Himachal-At a peek : The year that went by My Himachal members celebrate India’s Independence Day in US Despite wet weather conditions, about three thousand people participated on Sunday in the India Day Parade organized by Indian Business association of New Jersey. The annual India Day parade kicked off from the Oak Tree road in Edison as the 1.5 mile stretch came alive with the hues of India’s culture and heritage. Besides the country of origin of their forefathers, one thing that binds Indians all over the world are their zeal for Independence Day, the tales that they grew with of and about the struggle of numerous heroes for the freedom of their motherland. Project Concern International Laud My Himachal’s Health & Education Initiatives My Himachal was among the 29 Non Government Organizations (NGOs) that Project Concern International (PCI), a San Diego, California based health and humanitarian organization honoured at the 18th Annual Hands Across Borders event on November 6 to celebrate the tradition and culture of South and Southeast Asia. Avnish Katoch, president My Himachal and Payson R. Stevens, advisory board and a founding member of My Himachal received the award on behalf of the NGO that is mainly focused on development and well being of hill societies in North India. Indeed, it was a great moment for My Himachal as Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Laureate 2006 was honored with 2008 Humanitarian Award by PCI at the Brought To You By www.himachal.us
My Himachal-At a peek : The year that went by event. It is worth mentioning that Payson R. Stevens, President and Creative Director of InterNetwork Inc. (1979-99) and well as InterNetwork Media Inc. (1993-2004), both award-winning science/consulting groups with clients in government, industry, and academia originally attended molecular biology at the City University of New York and oceanography at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He has also studied at the Arts Students League and the School of Visual Arts in New York City. An artist, designer, writer, and film maker for over thirty years, he is one versatile man. Lead author of Embracing Earth: New Views of Our Changing Planet (Chronicle Books, 1992), which appeared in four foreign-language editions, he was also contributing author and artist/designer to the award-winning college textbooks, Geology Today (CRM, 1973) and Biology Today (CRM, 1971). His film credits include a CINE Golden Eagle Award (1980) for a national Public Television broadcast script on Antarctica. My Himachal’s Dr. Des Kashyap brings music and name of state on US Radio Dr. Des Kashyap a scientist at University of North Carolina and general secretary of My Himachal was invited for a radio show called “Jazz Incognito” on a local radio station 103.5 FM, WCON. This show invites talent that could play and sing Jazz songs that are inspiring examples of improvisation and innovation.
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My Himachal-At a peek : The year that went by Dr. Kashyap took it as a life time opportunity to promote Himachal and explain the love of music that Himachali’s have in their regular lives. It was for the first time ever that one hear pahadi songs playing on radio on American soil. In an hour long show, he started with explaining the difference in singing style and music tastes between North and South part of India. He played couple of his music compositions and pahadi songs like “Parliyan dhara mor jo bole”, hatu ri teere and chandaniyan rattan ra nazara from his upcoming pahadi song album that he is currently working on. Dr. Kashyap also took this opportunity to promote the non-government organization “My Himachal”. My Himachal and CENSUD come together for awareness For awareness on AIDS, My Himachal and Centre for Sustainable Development (CENSUD) organized a series of awareness programs that included poster competition, debates etc for the school children. Also, an agri-business orientation programme was organized by the two with an objective of educating farmers about modern practices of agriculture. MH Launches Its Own PODCAST My Himachal launched its very own monthly podcast ‘Awaz Pahadan di’ through which we would be bringing Himachali music, talks and interviews to you. So do not forget to subscribe to the podcast and tune in every month. Happy Listening! Brought To You By www.himachal.us
My Himachal-At a peek : The year that went by My Himachal Allocates HOPE Scholarships The year did end on a good note as My Himachal announced grant of HOPE Scholarships to 81 students of Himachal Pradesh studying in various recognized schools of the state. The grant amount, based on government school fees structure, with an objective of encouraging and rewarding merit of deserving students was an undoubtedly a successful effort of the My Himachal members (consisting of globally re-located Himachal residents) who had contributed for these. Eighty-one (81) students were selected on merit-cum-means basis by My Himachal Team consisting of Anil Chandel (Maryland), Vinay Jamwal and Anuj Butail (California), among whom there are 44 girls and 37 boys of various classes from 1st standard to Senior Secondary classes of all different streams with a varying scholarship amount of ranging from Rs. 554 to maximum Rs. 3932. Thanks and Regards MY HIMACHAL EDITORIAL TEAM
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MH : EXCLUSIVE
मलाणा..अब चरस नहीं चरक का गाँव मलाणा के ३७ वर्षीय प्रधान दिलेराम को संगीत का शौक कभी नहीं रहा,और गज़लों का तो बिल्कुल भी नहीं,लेकिन उनके मोबाइल पर आजकल भूपेन्द्र की मशहूर ग़ज़ल गूंजती है…जिन्दगी… मेरे घर आना जिन्दगी ..! यही नहीं जहाँ उनकी उम्र के दूसरे प्रधानों मेंजहाँ चमचमाती बोलेरो खरीदने की होड़ लगी है वहीं दिलेराम बोलेरो की बजाये बैलों की बात करते हैं. दिलेराम की ही तरह मलाणा की देवता कमेटी के वरिष्ठ सदस्य चान्देराम की हेलो ट्यून है…इतनी शक्ति हमें देना दाता…हम चलें नेक रस्ते पर हमसे भूल कर भी कोई भूल हो ना. हो सकता है यह सब संयोग हो लेकिन ऐसा संयोग भोगने वाले वोह अकेले मलाणू नहीं हैं. कमोबेश मलाणा के हर घर मैं आजकल ऐसा ही माहौल है.लोग सारा-सारा दिन खेती-बाडी, हल बैल की बात करते हैं और बाहर से आने वालों से औषधीय जडी-बूटियों के बाज़ार भाव के बारे मैं पूछते हैं. वैसे मलाणा मैं बहुत कुछ आज भी देवता के कहने पर होता है ,पर यह किसी देव आदेश का हिस्सा नहीं है बल्कि यह बदलाव की बयार है जो मलाणा के हर गली-कूचे मैं बह
BY Sanjeev Sharma
रही है और इस बयार के साथ हर मलाणू अपनी उस खूबसूरत और भोली-भली जिंदगी को बुला रहा है जिसे अढाई दशक पहले उन्होंने चांदी के चाँद सिक्कों की चकाचौंध मैं आकर छोड़ दिया था. गाँव के 72 वर्षीया बुजुर्ग जवित्रू राम के अनुसार यह कोई 1984 के आसपास की बात है. कुछ गोरे उनके गाँव मैं मलाणा की लोकतान्त्रिक व्यवस्था पर शोध करने के लिए आए थे. उनके शोध का क्या रहा यह तो पता नहीं हाँ मैं वोह इस भोले से गाँव को नशे की खेते के गर्त मैं जरूर धकेल गए. उसके बाद साल डर साल यहाँ काला धंधा करने वाले गोरों की आवाजाही बढ़ती गयी और कब उनका गाँव चरस का गढ़ बन गया उन्हें पता ही नहीं चला. जिस गाँव को लोग विशव के सबसे पुराने लोक्ताब्त्र और सहकार के तौर पर जानते थे वोह पूरी दुनिया मैं नशे का प्रतीक बन कर रह गया.भांग रूपी काले सोने के कारोबार की कमाई के चक्कर मैं मलाणा ऐसा फंसा की तीन पुश्तें मदहोश हो गयीं. कभी मात्र पूलें बनाने के काम आने वाली यहाँ की भांग ने बदनामी के ऐसे झंडे गाडे की मलाणा विदेशी तस्करों का ही गाँव बन गया. 1984 मैं जहाँ मात्र एक आध खेत मैं यहाँ भांग बीजी जाती थी(पूलें बनाने के लिए) वहीं एक दशक के भीतर मलाणा की जमीन का हर इंच भांग तले आ गया
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मलाणा..अब चरस नहीं चरक का गाँव और देखते ही देखते यहाँ भांग का कारोबार एक दो नहीं पूरे 600 करोड़ तक जा पहुँचा(नारकोटिक्स विभाग के आंकडों के मुताबिक) हर साल यहाँ से 50 से 60 टन भांग विदेशों मैं पहुँचने लगी. अपनी गुणवत्ता के दम पर यहाँ की भांग ने दुनिया भर मैं नाम(बदनामी) कमाई और 2002 मैं एम्सटार्दम मैं होने वाली प्रतियोगिता मैं इसे बेस्ट स्मोक ऑफ़ द वर्ल्ड घोषित किया गया. 2002 से 2006 तक लगातार यह उपाधी मलाणा की भांग के पास रही. जब अंतर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर बदनामी हुयी तो सरकार हरकत मैं आई और 2006 मैं पहली बार चरस के इस गढ़ को ध्वस्त करने के लिए नारकोटिक्स विभाग की 200 लोगों की टीम अधीक्षक ओ.पी शर्मा की अगुआई मैं यहाँ पहुँची. पहले साल मात्र 50 बीघा से भांग नष्ट की जा सकी. लेकिन वहाँ फैले नशे के साम्राज्य को देख कर पूरी टीम हैरत में पड़ गयी थी. बाकायदा भांग को टेस्ट करने ले किए महंगी प्रयोगशाला तक स्थापित की गयी थी.लिहाज़ा अगले साल और ज्यादा त्यारी के साथ हमला बोला गया..
BY Sanjeev Sharma
यह प्रयास जारी रहे और हर साल यह धावा ज्यादा जोर से बोला जाता रहा.और आज हालत यह हैं की मलाणा के करीब 4000 बघा की भांग की खेती मात्र 10 फीसदी ही रह गयी है. बार-बार हुए इन हमलों ने जहाँ मलाणा मैं सक्रिय नशा माफिया की कमर तोड़ दी वहीं प्रशन यह भी उठा कि हमें कुछ और आता ही नहीं तो करें क्या. .? इसी प्रशन का नतीजा है की आज मलाणा मैं औषधीय खेती की बात हो रही है जो कमोबेश उतना ही पैसा देगी जितना भांग से मिलता था. दिलचस्प बात यह है की मलाणा को यह नया रूप देने मैं भी नारकोटिक्स विभाग के वही अधीक्षक ओ पी शर्मा पहल कर रहे हैं जिन्होंने चरस के इस किले को ध्वस्त किया है. ओ पी शर्मा इसी हफ्ते मलाणा से लौटे हैं और उनके मुताबिक यदि सब ठीक -ठाक रहा तो मार्च मैं मलाणा की जमीन पर इस दफा भांग नहीं सालम पंजा. मुश्क्बाला. कालाजीरा और ममेरी की पौध रोपी जायेगी. यह जडी-बूटियाँ न सिर्फ़ बाहरी दुनिया के रोग ठीक करेंगी बल्कि मलाणा को भी नशे की बदनामी भरे अतीत से मुक्ती दिलाएंगी . हलाँकि मलाणा के लोग अब ख़ुद ही इस बदलाव को
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मलाणा..अब चरस नहीं चरक का गाँव
BY Sanjeev Sharma
साकार करने की ठान चुके हैं, लेकिन अब बाहरी समर्थन भी मिल रहा है. अब तक मलाणा से मुंह फेरे बैठी राज्य सरकार ने भी नींद खोली है. अन्य पिछड़ा वित्त निगम की टीम मलाणा मैं सस्ता कर्ज देने के लिए कैम्प लगा चुकी है. 25 लोगों के ऋण भी स्वीकृत होने की अन्तिम अवस्था मैं हैं. लोगों के अनुसार यदि सरकार ऐसी दरियादिली पहले दिखाती तो मलाणा की छवि शायद इतनी मलिन नहीं होती. वैसे लोगों की यह बात सही भी है. मैं बीते दस साल मैं मैं कम से कम पन्द्रह बार मलाणा गया हूँ लेकिन यहाँ की छवि के चलते कभी भी रात गुजारने की हिम्मत नहीं कर सका. रात इस बार भी नहीं रूका लेकिन जब इस बार वापिस लौट रहा था तो अँधेरा घिरने का डर नहीं सता रहा था ,क्योंकि मैं जानता था की यह अँधेरा अब मात्र कुछ दिनों का ही मोहताज़ है और एक नयी सुबह एक नया सवेरा मलाणा के इंतज़ार मैं बाहें फैलाये खड़ा है… जहाँ मोबाइल की हेलो ट्यून्स यह सुनाएंगी…दुःख भरे दिन बीते रे भैया ..अब सुख आयो रे..रंग जीवन मैं नया छायो रे……आमीन.
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लाहुल : परम्पराओं की घाटी में घर करती आधुनिकता की
BY Sanjeev Sharma
लाहुल से लौट कर संकुश. लाहुल यानि दर्रों की धरती…दर्रे यानि जोड़ने के माध्यम. बरसों से लाहुल के ला यानि दर्रे कई सभ्यताओं और संस्कृतियों को एक दूसरे से जोड़ने का काम करते चले आ रहे हैं. बारालाचा इस खूबसूरत वादी को लेह-लद्दाख जैसे समृद्ध संस्कृति वाले इलाके से जोड़ता है तो शिंकू -ला जास्कर से,कुंजुम ला लाहुल का स्पीती से संगम करवाता है तो छोबी-ला और कुगती ला चम्बा की पंगवाल संस्कृति से और रोहतांग पूरी वादी को शेष विश्व से जोड़ता है. अपने इसी अनूठे प्राकृतिक जोड़ के चलते लाहुल की संस्कृति और संस्कार बेजोड़ बन पाए हैं. अब दर्रों की घाटी के इस जोड़ मैं दरारें आ रही हैं जिसके चलते लाहुल की बेजोड़ संस्कृति और जीवन दरक रहा है.करीब छः माह तक बर्फ के लिहाफ मैं लिपटे रहने वाले लाहुल मैं लोग मौसम और उससे उपजने वाली विषमताओं से कभी चिंतित नहीं होते, उल्टे उनके लिए यह त्योहारों का सबब बन जाता है. हालडा ,लोसर , छम ,उतना और फागली जैसे तमाम त्यौहार भरी बर्फबारी मैं मनाये जाते हैं पूरी गरमजोशी के साथ बिना ठण्ड की चिंता के.,लोगों को चिंता
होती है तो सिर्फ़ दो बातों की जिन्हें लाहुल मैं कभी शुभ नहीं माना गया. पहली पेड़ों के ऊपर जाने की और दूसरी परम्पराओं के नीचे आने की.हलाँकि लंबे समाये तक यह चिंता महज चिंता ही रही लेकिन अब वास्तविक चुनौती के रूप मैं सामने आन खड़ी हुयी है.लाहुल मैं अब यह दोनों ही बातें तेज़ी से घट रही हैं जिन्हें लेकर बरसों लोग चिंतित रहे. पेड़ यहाँ की पर्वतमालाओं पर तेज़ी से ऊपर चढ़ रहे हैं और परम्पराएं उसी अनुपात मैं नीचे आ रही हैं.ग्लोबल वार्मिंग यहाँ बिछे रहने वाले बर्फ के लिहाफ को चिंदी कर रही है तो ग्लोबलाइजेशन की हवा परम्पराओं के पल्लू को तार-तार कर रही है. नतीजा यह की आज लाहुल मैं सब कुछ बदल रहा है…तीज-त्यौहार,पर्व -परम्पराएं,खेती,फसल और यहाँ तक की नस्ल भी.यह बदलाव का दौर है,तिंदी से तांदी और कोकसर से केलंग तक परिवर्तन की पुरवाई हर जा बह रही है. हालाँकि आम तौर पर बदलाव को बेहतर माने जाने की रवायत है,लेकिन लाहुल में हर कोई इस परिवर्तन से परेशान है, क्योंकि बदलाव की इस बलि पर जो चढ़ रहा है वोह है यहाँ की पहचान…और पहचान ही खो दी तो क्या बचा..?
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लाहुल : परम्पराओं की घाटी में घर करती आधुनिकता की
BY Sanjeev Sharma
जीवन के अस्सी माघ (लाहुल मैं बसंत नहीं आता) देख चुकी जाहलमा गाँव की पालमू को अपने कठिनतम अतीत का कोई मलाल नहीं है क्योंकि वोह तो गुजर गया लेकिन जो आगे दिख रहा है उसे लेकर वोह खासी परेशान हैं. कहती हैं हमारे ज़माने मैं सहूलियतें नहीं थीं पर संस्कार थे जो जीवन को सुगम बनाते थे…पर अब सहूलियतें मिलीं तो संस्कार जाते रहे जो अच्छी बात नहीं है.पालमू के अनुसार तब लाहुल मैं हर तरफ़ परम्पराओं का बोलबाला था. रहन-सहन बेष-भूषा सब पारम्परिक.महिलाओं को चोली-बास्केट और पुरुषों को छुबे पहने कहीं भी देखा जा सकता था जो अब ख़ास मौकों पर ही होता है. अपनी गोद मैं खेल रही दो वरस की पड़पोती की तरफ़ इशारा कर वोह कहती हैं …शाब अब आप बताओ कि पेंट जाकेट मैं यह लड़का है या लडकी..? और इसे भी संयोग ही कहें कि बच्ची का नाम पायल है. वास्तव मैं यह लाहुल मैं बदलाव का सबसे सटीक उदहारण है…कमोबेश यहाँ कि हर परदादी कि यही पीड़ा है .कि पालमू अब पायल हो गयी है. हालाँकि लाहुल मैं अभी भी महिलायें तो परम्पराओं के परिधान मैं लिपटी दिख जाती हैं
पर पुरुष लगभग इस ओर से किनारा कर चुके हैं. इसका सबसे बड़ा उदहारण तब मिला जब प्रथम इम्पक्ट को लाहुल दौरे के दौरान पता चला कि मुख्यमंत्री के स्वागत मैं एक युवक छुबे (लाहुली पुरूष परिधान)पहन कर आया है. हमने ढूंढ मचाई तो करीब 40 मिनट की मशक्कत के बाद पत्थर पर जींस मैं बैठा सिगरेट फूंकता मिला. आग्रह करने पर हालाँकि वोह दोबारा छुबे पहन फोटो खिंचवाने के लिए तयार हो गया पर यह वाकया बताता है कि लाहुली पुरूष किस कदर अपने समृद्ध अतीत से विमुख होते जा रहे हैं. ऐसा क्यों..?पूछने पर उसी युवक प्रेम ने तपाक से जबाब दिया…मैं कुल्लू मैं पढता हूँ…वहाँ ऐसे कपड़े पहनूंगा तो लोग गंवार कहेंगे. जितने भी मर्दों से बात की उन्होंने भी ऐसा ही जबाब दिया किहर अच्छे बुरे मौके पर दूध-दहीं से लस्सी -शराब तक परोसने के काम आने वाली कलात्मक केतली छुपकेन अब अलमारी मैं बंद हो चुकी है और उसकी जगह बोन-चाईना की क्राकरी ने ले ली है.घरों मैं हलाँकि गाहे-बगाहे नमकीन चाय बनती है लेकिन उदयपुर,केलंग,तांदी और जिस्पा सब जगह दुकानों मैं एस्स्प्रेस्सो काफी की धूम है.मारचू ,चिल्लाहड़, और बटूहरू जैसे पकवानों की जगह बर्गर पिज्जा और थो-थो पो-पो न जाने क्या-क्या मिलता है.
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लाहुल : परम्पराओं की घाटी में घर करती आधुनिकता की
BY Sanjeev Sharma
त्योहारों पर भी इस बदलाव का असर साफ़ दिखता है. बौध साम्प्र्दाये के प्रति झुकाब के कारण लाहुल मैं लोसर को नववर्ष के तौर पर मनाये जाने की परम्परा है जो फरवरी-मार्च मैं पड़ता है…लेकिन अब युवाओं को 31 दिसम्बर का हुल्लड़ ज्यादा भाता है और वोह मार्च का इंतज़ार किए बगैर जनवरी मैं हैप्पी न्यू इयर कहकर लडकियां छेड़ने का मज़ा लूटने को प्राथमिकता देते हैं. हलाँकि हालडा जैसे मौके पर अभी भी ज्यादा रौनक होती है पर उस पर भी अब होली का हुल्लड़ भारी होता जा रहा है. लाहुल मैं एक और खास उत्सव प्रचलित है जो पूरे देश मैं सामुदायिक भाईचारे का अनूठा उदहारण है. यह है गौची उत्सव जिसमें हर गाँव के लोग अपने यहाँ एक साल के भीतर पैदा हुए लड़कों की खुशी सामूहिक तौर पर मनाते हैं.एक तय दिन पर सामूहिक पूजा होती है जिसमें सभी लड़कों का नवजातक संस्कार होता रहा है…पर अब इसमें भी बदलाव आया है. कारदंग के प्रधान दोरजे मानपा के अनुसार अब लोगों के पास पैसा आ गया है जिस कारण कोई साल भर इंतज़ार नहीं करता और अपनी
सुविधानुसार पुत्र रत्न का जश्न मना लेता है. दोरजे बताते हैं कि गौची को लेकर गाहर घाटी मैं तो उल्लास देखते ही बनता था.साल भर की त्यारी की बाद लामाओं की टोलिआं सामूहिक पूजा करतीं और फ़िर जश्न मनाया जाता. पर अब तो लामा भी मिलने मुश्किल हो गए हैं आधुनिक युग मैं लोग अपने बेटों को लामा नहीं बना रहे जिसकारण कई संस्कारों को पूरण करने का संकट पैदा हो गाया है. हालाँकि लामा नहीं बनाने की स्थिति मैं लोगों पर जुर्माना भी लग रहा है पर यह युक्ति भी काम नहीं कर रही लोग जुर्माना चुकाने की हैसियत जो पा चुके हैं. पर इस हैसियत के कारण पुरानी हैसियत का हास हो रहा है जो यहाँ की विशेष पहचान रही है. दरअसल लाहुल मैं इस बदलाव को कुल्लू मैं समाजशास्त्र के प्रवक्ता रामलाल ठाकुर जो ख़ुद लाहुल से हैं ,लाहुल मैं हुयी बाहरी घुसपैठ से जोड़ते हैं. और उनके मुताबिक यह घुसपैठ रोहतांग से ज्यादा हुयी है. पुराने ज़माने मैं रोहतांग से आवागमन इतना सुगम नहीं था…हालाँकि घाटी के भीतर आवागमन खुला रहता था पर चूंकि उसपार सभी एक सी संस्कृति वाले थी लिहाज़ा जीवन मूल्य और प्रगाढ़ होते रहे. लेकिन रोहतांग से सड़क पहुँचने के साथ ही सब कुछ घुलना शुरू हो
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लाहुल : परम्पराओं की घाटी में घर करती आधुनिकता की
BY Sanjeev Sharma
गाया जो अब इस कगार पर पहुँच गया है. लेकिन अगर रामलाल का आकलन सही है तो फ़िर तो यह मात्र शुरुआत है . रोहतांग सुरंग और लेह की रेल तो अभी आनी बाकी है.जो अपने साथ पर्यटकों का रेला लायेंगी . और पूरी दुनिया मैं यह बात मशहूर है कि पर्यटक पैसा तो लाते हैं पर परम्पराएं ले जाते हैं….तो क्या लाहुल बीते दिनों की बात हो जाएगा ?….क्या यहाँ कि विलक्षण संस्कृति मात्र किताबों मैं सिमट कर रह जाएगी..?क्या चन्द्र-भागा द्वारा सिंचित सभ्यता चिंदी हो जाएगी..? यह वोह यक्ष प्रश्न हैं जो मुंह बाये खड़े होने वाले हैं….और इनका उत्तर हम जैसे यायावरों को नहीं ख़ुद लाहुल वालों को ही देना/ढूंढ़ना है क्योंकि इस संस्कृति के पोषण और परित्याग की जबाबदेही सिर्फ़ और सिर्फ़ उन्हीं की है. आख़िर बदबू के डर से कभी दरवाजे खिड़कियाँ बंद नहीं किए जाते क्योंकि शुद्ध हवा भी तो वहीं से आती है.इसलिए समझदारी इसी मैं ही है कि शुद्ध हवा भी न रोकी जाए और बदबू को फैलने नहीं दिया जाए..
के नियम ..जैसा देश वैसा भेष को अपना लेते हैं…पर अब यह नियम घर मैं भी लागू हो रहा है. अधिकांश पुरूष मात्र टोपी पहन कर ही लाहुली होने का ढोंग करना सीख गए हैं और उसी मैं खुश हैं. दरअसल यहाँ पुरूष अब छुबे तो दूर कुर्ते पाजामे मैं भी नहीं दिखते. और युवा तो जीन मैं ही मिलेंगे. और फैशन के यह “जीन्स” अब जीवन के हर खेत मैं पल्लवित हो रहे हैं. जनजातीय उत्सव मैं अब मनदासी का गाया …भाई सा जी केलंग का सैला नहीं बल्कि पॉप की धुनों पर ….दस बहाने करके ले गयी दिल …गाया जाता है और नाटी की धीमी लय पर डी. जे. की उछलकूद भारी हो गयी है.
उन्हें काम के सिलसिले मैं बाहर रहना पड़ता है जहाँ वोह गंवार नहीं कहलाना चाहते और रोम Brought To You By www.himachal.us
Seabuckthorn brings New Dawn to Lahaul, Himachal BY D. D. Sharma
Ladhak region of Jammu and Kashmir, Lahaul Spiti, parts of Kinnaur and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh are together known as the cold deserts of India. Due to extreme temperatures and sparse forest cover, life in these areas is too harsh beyond imagination. Cut off from the rest of the country for most of the year, people lived in these regions for ages with difficulty, but lately natural resourcebased livelihood initiative by people and the government alike has resulted in the economy of the place growing by leaps and bounds.
April the whole valley bears intense cold wave as temperature falls below -16 degree Celsius on average. Due to prevalence of cold and dry climatic conditions, just a handful of tree species like Betula utilis, Pinus wallichiana, Juniper macropoda, Cedrus deodar and Hippophae rhamnoides can grow in this region. But people’s hard work has now made it possible to grow other trees like Willow, Salix and Populas nigra. More importantly, people themselves are taking appropriate steps to protect these trees. There are about 200 villages in Lahaul valley where with about 14,000 farmers.
On the basis of geographical conditions, Lahaul & Spiti district can be divided into two main regions, i.e. Lahaul valley and Spiti valley. Lahaul valley is situated towards west and covers an area of 6,097 square kilometers. In this valley mountain peaks range between 5,480 metres and 6,400 metres. Right from October till
The problem of soil erosion is widely prevalent in Lahaul leading to deposition of silt in Chandra-Bhaga and Spiti rivers. Landslides are also widespread and timber and fuel wood scarcity is also a perennial problem here. To counter these problems the people of Lahaul valley have grown Willows on a very large scale. But that was not enough.Keep-
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Seabuckthorn brings New Dawn to Lahaul, Himachal BY D. D. Sharma
ing in view the aforesaid problems, scientists involved in forest resource development in the region identified seabuckthorn (known as Chharma in local dialect), besides traditional crops like potato peas and medicinal plants, as a sustainable solution. Seabuckthorn can be seen growing naturally in higher slopes of Lauhal & Spiti, Pangi area of Chamba district and Pooh division of Kinnaur district. This tree provides fuel, protein rich fodder and is considered as good soil binder besides increasing soil fertility by enhancing nitrogen levels. But above all, its fruits is a rich source of vitamin C, E and other nutrients. Nowadays life-saving drinks, cosmetics and medicines in the form of injections and oils are being prepared from its extracts and therefore it is in great demand. Keeping in view its demand in domestic and foreign markets, farmers’ organisations were formed in these
areas and the shrub was cultivated on commercial lines for the first time. Dr Virender Singh, a farm-forestry scientist from CSK HPKVV (Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidalya), Palampur, who has been working on development and promotion of seabuckthorn for the last 15 years, revealed that the plant has the potential to change the economy of the region. He has been making people aware regarding latest research regarding seabuckthorn and how they can benefit from it. Recently, a team from Policy Analysis and Planning Unit from HPFSR (Himachal Pradesh Forest Sector Reforms) visited Lahaul valley and evaluated the success of the initiative. More number of SHGs, NGOs, and societies have come forward to take up seabuckthorn cultivation. President of Lauhal & Spiti Seabuckthorn Society revealed that they have already been selling their produce to private companies.
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What Ails My Dear Himachal There is saying in Hindi “Kutte ki haddi ka sawaal hai�. There was a dog which found a dry bone of some animal lying in jungle. He picked it up happily and sat in secluded place and started chewing it. There was nothing inside the bone. But the dog continued to chew it and his gums started bleeding. The taste of blood satisfied the dog. He continued to chew the bone and enjoy the taste of his own blood. This is the condition of an ordinary Himachali at present. He is satisfied with the taste of his own blood oblivious of the fact that it is his own blood he is sucking. Today we find that the powers that may be, are happy with surveys of Indian states and results thereof. It has been concluded that Himachal is the happiest state in the Union of India. It will be. As I said above that Himachalis are happy sucking their own blood.
BY Thakur Ravi Singh Mandhotra
India attained freedom in the year 1947 and Himachal became a full fledged state in 1971 if I am not wrong. All the states had an agenda of their progress but Himachal had none. There was no agenda of bringing the state at par, if not more than, the neighboring states of Punjab, J&K and Haryana. We had no plans for development. We never had any vision as to how our state could become a developed state. Our Himachalis continued to struggle on individual basis for their upliftment . As a result we continued to flee to plains to find greener pastures. Thereby becoming displaced persons. Today one can find huge Himachali populations in Delhi, Chandigarh and even Bombay. They are not settled there out of choice, but out of their helplessness to find even the basic amenities in our beloved state. We look back towards Himachal with longing and ache in our heart. Can an old man of sixty think of going back to Himachal and settle there for good ? No. Definitely not.
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What Ails My Dear Himachal The reason is not far to seek. If he falls sick he has to be rushed to PGI Chandigarh or some private hospitals in Punjab. Can an average Himachali afford to do so ? No. And so he dies unattended in some remote village. Why so ? Himachal has the best climate for recuperating from diseases, but lacks medical facilities. Today Himachal could have been a Health state with a number of state of art hospitals. We have none. Thanks to poor vision of our leadership in sixties, seventies and even till today. Even now we are finding hospitals mushrooming in dirty climates of Punjab and Delhi but not in Himachal. Half the illness of any person could be cured by the climate itself provided a person gets quality medical attention here. Then one can see the pathetic condition of transportation in Himachal. One has to see the condition of national highway from Pathankot to
BY Thakur Ravi Singh Mandhotra
Manali, to get the idea of transport system in our state. This Highway came into prominence during Indo – China conflict in 1962, when the army used it to carry heavy artillery to Lahul Spiti. After the conflict was over, this highway lost its importance notwithstanding the fact that it is till date the only road which can be effectively used by the Army to check any nefarious designs of China. But who cares. Perhaps one should wish that another war breaks out between India and China so that this highway gets his due from the NHAI. This is just one road. No other road can be said to be of standard except Simla Chandigarh road. But of course it is utilized by all the big wigs to visit Delhi and Chandigarh. The less said about the railways is better. British Government built two railway lines during the Raj. One to Shimla for the obvious reason that they wanted it for shifting their capital during summers to Shimla. The second line was built from
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What Ails My Dear Himachal Pathankot to Joginder Nagar in 1918. Since then neither it has been broadened by a single inch nor extended by a single inch. One could see the proceedings of Railway Budgets in Parliament from 1950 onwards. There have been no demand raised by Himachal Members of Parliament for providing rail facilities to this state. This despite the fact that there had been MP’s from Congress as well as opposition parties, sitting out the discussions on railway budget year after year. There can be trains to Laloo’s in laws village but none for Himachal. Then the trains were extended to Jammu after that state persuade the Centre for providing railway line to it. The trains which used to terminate at Pathankot were suddenly not even touching Pathankot. One can only see the plight of our Defense personnel coming home for annual leaves, carrying their luggage on their heads from Chakki Bank to Pathankot, to gauge
BY Thakur Ravi Singh Mandhotra
the neglect of welfare of our people. Who is to blame ? Centre ? Yes to some extent that they are not looking after the interests of Himachal and our facilities are being sacrificed to appease non appeasable Kashmiris. Thousands of crores are being spent to take train to Srinagar. At whose cost ? At our cost. This will give a big boost to their economy and increase their tourism potential. We will lose whatever little tourist traffic we have. But who cares. Perhaps the Himachali youth have to take to arms to get the attention of centre, and I assure you that they are quite capable of that. Our MP’s are happy singing praises of railway budgets year after year. They forget that in India the basic fundamental of development is railway. We have climate where we can grow anything that is grown on this planet. But where do we take it for marketing in the absence of basic transport facility of railway ?
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St Bede’s In Himachal Wont Be Allowed To Die – ExBY Ravinder Makhaik Bedians “We won’t allow it” is what most ex-Bedian’s reacted to reports about their alma mater considering shutting down because of a teething financial crisis. An SMS message about providing financial assistance to keep the college up and going is doing the rounds among former students of St Bede’s. “Nobody would want St Bede’s to shut down,” says Daisy Thakur, a former student and a councilor in Parwanoo Municipal Corporation. “The institution is synonymous with Shimla.” Thakur mentioned having received an SMS from former Bedian’s about the financial problems their alma mater was going through. To provide affordable education for girls, the institute has been getting grants since British days. After Independence, a central government
agency under inspector of Anglo-Indian Schools was responsible for handing out grants to the institution. The college records showed that the issue of grants for running St Bede’s was taken up as a Lok Sabha question in 1962. An amount of Rs 2940 was shown to have been handed out. Till 1970, the college was affiliated with Punjab University but after Himachal attained statehood in 1971 and a new university came up, it got attached to HPU as a grant-in-aid college. The state government started tightening grants for private colleges in August 2002 and froze it at Rs 7.10 crores for all colleges. For Bede’s, against an expenditure of Rs 1.53 crore for 2007-08, the government released an amount of Rs 1.18 crore in May 2008. Now that the government has laid out rules for disbursing grants equitably among other private colleges also,
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St Bede’s In Himachal Wont Be Allowed To Die – ExBY Ravinder Makhaik Bedians a resource crunch threatens the foundations of the institution. However, a section of students at St Bede’s were not too happy the way the college was being run. “All is not it well with the management,” said a student not wanting to be identified, “the college was better managed last year than what it is today.” A new principal took over, last May.
With market forces exerting pressure on most academic institutions, for a college that started with a batch of 15 students in 1904 and withstood such difficult periods as the two world wars of 20th century, going down under at a time when a resurgent Indian economy is pushing for setting up more institutions of excellence, it would be a tragic should one allow St Bede’s to die.
“Facilities in the college are going down,” says the young Bedian, “last year there was more activity on the campus.” The alumni include former bureaucrat Usha Vohra, wife of NN Vohra who is the governor of Jammu and Kashmir parliamentarian Parneet Kaur, wife of Capt. Amaninder Singh, the former chief minister of Punjab and famous columnist Talveen Singh. Brought To You By www.himachal.us
विदेशी क्या जानते हैं हिमाचल प्रदेश के बारे में? दोस्तों! पिछले सात वर्षों में मैं अमरीकी, फ्रेंच, चीनी, तुर्क, ईरानी, स्वीड, जर्मन, रूसी, डच, कोरियन, अफ्रीकी और अर्जेंटीनी नागरिकों का साथ उठता-बैठता रहा हूँ | जब उनसे पहली बार मिलते हुए जब अपना परिचय देता हूँ, तो वे अकसर पूछते हैं कि यह हिमाचल है कहाँ? फ़िर शुरू होता है सिलसिला भारत का नक्षा चित्रिक करके कश्मीर, तिब्बत, पंजाब और दिल्ली के दक्षिण, पश्चिम, पूर्व और उत्तर में हिमाचल दिखाने का | अगर कहूँ कि हिमाचल हिमालय में है, तो उनको माउंट अवेरेस्ट और नेपाल दिखाई देता है | पर अगर कहूँ यह वह प्रदेश है जहाँ दलाई लामा ने शरण ली है, तो कई लोग कह उठते हैं: अच्छा “धरमशाला” के पास | फ़िर सिलसिला चलता है उनको पहाडों की ऊंचाई, नदियों और बंधों के नाम गिनाने का, और यह बताने का कि हिमाचल देवभूमि है | बात निकलती है तो बर्फ का, पर्यटन का जिक्र होता है | फसलों और फासलों का ज़िक्र होता है | हमारी प्रगति और पिछडेपन का ज़िक्र होता है | ऐसी अनेकों वार्तालापों का निचोड़ आपके समक्ष प्रस्तुत कर रहा हूँ, यह सोच कर कि इस सवाल-जवाब से मैंने जो समझा-सीखा वो शायद हमारे प्रदेश की प्रगति
BY Dr. Vivek Sharma
के प्रति उठाये जाने वाले कदमों का मार्गदर्शक बनेगा | हम कहते हैं कि हिमाचल भारत का स्विट्जरलैंड है | यह कहाँ तक सच है? अगर प्राकृतिक सौंदर्य की बात कि जाए, तो हिमालय की भव्यता की तुलना किसी भी पहाडी इलाके से नहीं की जा सकती | परन्तु जिस प्रकार खान से निकला हुआ हीरा जोहरी की कोशिश के बिना बेकार पत्थर-सा, बेनाम रहता है, जैसे बिना आभूषण, वस्त्र, संवारने-संवारने के बिना किसी स्त्री का रूप अदृश्य रहता है, बिना सही व्यवस्था और कोशिश के हिमाचल का स्विट्जरलैंड सा बन पाना लगभग असंभव है | स्विस लोग समय के बहुत पाबन्द होते हैं | बस अगर पाँच बज कर बारह मिनट पे आएगी कहा हो, तो ज़्यादा से ज़्यादा २0-३० सैकिंड ही लेट होती है | सड़कें हर साल ध्वस्त नहीं होती, पुल नदी के साथ नहीं बहते, और लोग यहाँ-तहां कूड़ा नहीं फैंकते | जगह-जगह शौचालय और मूत्रालय बने होते हैं | आप इसे एक बुरा नज़रियाँ या उदाहरण कह सकते हैं, पर यह शौलाचय सड़क किनारे बने तकरीबन सभी डाभों से ज्यादा साफ़ सुथरे होते हैं | कभी भी बस लठयानी, घुमारवीं, भराडीघाट, संवारा, भोटा, स्वारघाट में रूकती है, हमारी अदूरदर्शिता एक के बाद एक
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विदेशी क्या जानते हैं हिमाचल प्रदेश के बारे में? दुकानों-मकानों की ओट में बिखरी नज़र आती है | अमरीका में हर रेस्तरां, हर “ढाबे”, हर बस स्टाप पर साफ़ सुथरे मूत्रालय बने होते हैं | माना बीस-तीस साल पहले पहाडों में शौचालय होते ही नहीं थे, पर अब हम प्रगति के मुकाम चड़ने की बात करते हैं, परन्तु मूलभूत ज़रूरतों को अनदेखा कर देते हैं | यूँ तो कानून बना कर हर ढाबे, हर रेस्तरां में व्यवस्था करवाई जा सकती है, परन्तु हमें ख़ुद ऐसी समस्याओं को पहचान कर उनका समाधान ढूँढना चाहिए | कभी कभार मुझे भारत और हिमाचल में घूमे हुए विदेशियों से मिलकर पता चलता है कि वो हमारे देश में हमसे ज्यादा घूम चुके हैं | यहाँ संस्कृत में रूचि लेने वाले बुद्धिजीवियों कि कमी नहीं | महाभारत, रामायण, कालिदास के पद्य, कबीर के दोहे, भगवद गीता के अनुवाद, गांधीजी कि आत्मकथा, रश्दी के नावेल, योग से ले कर तिबेत्तियों के ऊपर हुए चीनी अत्याचारों से अवगत लोगों से जब मैं बात करता हूँ, तो सोचता हूँ कि हमरे देश-प्रदेश में आदि ग्रंथों से ले कर समकालीन साहित्य के प्रति कितनी अरुचि, कितना अनादर है | मेरे विदेशी मित्र पूछते हैं कि हमारे प्रदेश में विश्वविद्यालय तो है, परन्तु विश्व पटल पर छाप छोड़ने
BY Dr. Vivek Sharma
वाला शोध यहाँ क्यूँ नहीं होता, कोई साहित्यकार, कलाकार, खिलाड़ी रास्ट्रीय और अंतर्राष्ट्रीय मंचों पर नज़र क्यूँ नहीं आते ? किसी भी संस्थान के विश्व प्रसिद्ध बनने के लिए आवश्यक है कि प्राध्यापक और विद्यार्थी दोनों सहयोग से, निष्ठा से प्रतिदिन, प्रतिवर्ष महनत करें | मेरे विदेशी मित्रों के अनुसार हिमाचल की शान्ति और रोज़मर्रा की गति शिक्षा और शोध संस्थानों के लिए उपयुक्त है | मेरा मानना है कि शायद हमारे आत्मविश्वास की कमीं है, कुछ प्रयास की कमीं है, कि देश के सबसे ज्यादा पड़े-लिखे लोग जहाँ बसते हैं, वह देश में ज्ञानियों का कर्मस्थल नहीं माना जाता | कहाँ हमारे सभी पूर्वज सत्य और साधना के लिए हिमालय चडा करते थे, कहाँ हम हिमालय कि गोद में बैठे, अपनी ही संभावनाओं से अपरिचित हैं | देखा जाए तो हिमाचल में फल-फूल, कन्द-मूल, जडी-बूटियों का भण्डार है | पर हम न इन्हें अच्छी तरह पहचान पाये हैं, न इनका पूरा फ़ायदा उठा पाये हैं | सरकार ने भार्यसक प्रयास किया है, और पर्यटन, परिवहन और किसानों के लिए काफ़ी सुविधाएँ उपलब्ध भी करवाई हैं | परन्तु प्रयटक स्थलों कि सफाई, रेस्तराओं में खाने का स्वाद, पगडंडियों की मरमत, मंदिरों का रख-रखाव, संस्थानों
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विदेशी क्या जानते हैं हिमाचल प्रदेश के बारे में? में शोध, कला-विज्ञान-खेल में अभिरुचि और अभिव्यक्ति, समय की पाबन्दी, सुलभ शौचालयों और कूड़ाघरों का प्रयोजन, इतियादी हम नागरिकों के निश्चय और प्रयत्न के बिना असाध्य लक्ष्य ही रहेंगे | शायद बंदरों के बड़ते प्रकोप का इलाज़ बंदरों के संघार में है, और यदि आप रामायण पड़ चुके हैं, तो याद कीजिये कि कैसे उसमें श्रीराम भी आतंकी वानरों, जानवरों को मारने से पीछे नहीं हटते थे | नैना देवी जैसे हादसे रोकना, और ऐसा हादसा हो सकता है सोच पाना हम सबके लिए एक चुनौती है | कोई बाहर से आकर क्यूँ हमारी स्तिथि का जायजा ले हमें बताये कि क्या और कैसे करना चाहिए? हम क्यूँ न स्वविश्लेशन करके, स्वार्थों को भुला कर, स्वालंबी बन कर, स्वयमेव ही समस्याएँ सुलझा लें? मेरा हमीरपुर (और अन्य) इन्जिनीरिंग कालेज, हिमाचल प्रदेश विश्वविद्यालय के सभी विद्यार्थियों, शिक्षकों, समाज सेवकों, पञ्च-प्रधानों से निवेधन यही है की वो आस और प्रयास समितियां बनायें, जो हमारे गावों, कस्बों, विद्यालयों, मंदिरों में परिवर्तन लायें | शायद अपने प्रदेश से बहिर निकल कर में अपने प्रदेश को ज्यादा समझ पाया हूँ | हमारे
BY Dr. Vivek Sharma
राज्य में सुख है, शान्ति है, और असीम सौंदर्य है | यादों के झुरमुट में मद्रे का स्वाद, बंदरों की छेड़-छाड़, सेबों का रंग, चूल्हे की रोटी, बटुरु, चिलरू, मंदिरों की घंटियाँ, नदियों का ठंडा पानी, झूलती चील की शाखें, सडकों के अनगिनत मोड़ हैं | यादों के झुरमुट में बसे पहाडी भाई-बहन हैं, जिनका परिश्रम, सादगी, श्रधा, इमानदारी मेरे जैसे सभी प्रवासी हिमाचलियों के लिए निरंतर एक मिठास, एक संतोष, एक प्रेरणा का साधन रहती है | पर जैसे अपने सबसे प्रिय पुत्र से पिता सदैव सर्वोच्च प्रदर्शन की उम्मीद करता है, ठीक वैसे ही अपने घर-ग्राम-प्रदेश की ओर नज़र दौडाता हूँ, तो काफ़ी-कुछ बदलना चाहता हूँ | जानता हूँ छोटी-बड़ी मुश्किलें हैं, मुसीबतें हैं, जिनका हल करना शायद मुश्किल नहीं | परन्तु “उद्यमेन ही सिध्यन्ति, कार्याणि न मनोरथैः ” | इसलिए पहले समस्याओं को पहचान कर, उनको समझ कर, हमें वो कदम उठाने होंगे जिससे हमारे प्रदेश से निकला हर युवक-युवती जब कहे की वह हिमाचली है, तो देखने वाले को सादा और इमानदार व्यक्ति ही नहीं, बल्कि एक प्रगतिशील, प्रतिभाशाली समुदाय नज़र आए |
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MH : EDITORIAL
HIMACHAL NEEDS A REGIONAL PARTY BY Ravinder Makhaik Stranglehold of a two party system has led to political lethargy in Himachal where interests of the state are trampled under for vested interests whose power centers lie elsewhere. No visible protests are seen, be it against the powerful cement lobby, land mafia, hydropower companies or other interests that are increasingly encroaching upon rights of simple hill people. State leaders (no aspersions cast on their intentions) affiliated to national parties are constrained to work independently for there is a central High Command, with a power nucleus whose interests are governed by brute democratic majority to the disadvantage of a fringe hill people. Take the case of Cement: We just have two major big cement units operating in Barmana and Dharlaghat.
And those who have traveled on the roads along these plants since the early 1980’s say, road travel on the route has gone from good to bad and bad to worse. Yet the governments headed by either party (Congress or BJP) only tries to outdo each other in allotting cement units to industrial houses, without bothering to take into account the damage done to state infrastructure, environment and the social fabric. A landed peasantry gets uprooted in order to make way for these large cement units, lowly paid jobs of truckers spending much time away from families are created, mining and pollution renders nearby lands fallow, scenic beauty of the landscape is scarred turning the place into a tourism and travel liability and the area becomes a hotbed for attracting AIDS. Consider this, one of the best limestone mines needed for cement are reported to be in Uttrakhand. But there are no cement
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HIMACHAL NEEDS A REGIONAL PARTY
BY Ravinder Makhaik
units in either Uttrakhand nor in Jammu and Kashmir. One reason cement companies have not been able to penetrate these regions is because the people in these lands are strongly tied under regional parties, which is not the case in Himachal. What’s more the governments and courts by enforcing ban on green felling of forests for decades together, a renewable resource, or making the prices of timber unaffordable to poor people, inadvertently create a local market for cement units. It also kills the local wood craft artisans and adds to the problems of raging unemployment. I’m not for denuding the forests but sustainable development does warrant
judicious use of forest wealth. No national party, alternately ruling the state will acknowledge these parameters of development because the levers of power operate from outside the state. And the state which lacks a regional party cannot defend the rights of its people on some of these issues. In the last decade, I have heard none other than senior congressman Sukh Ram strongly oppose cement industry in the state assembly. More need to join in to assert our rights on our environment. Take the case of Hydropower: The mighty Sutlej has been flowing for millenniums or ever since the Himalayas started shaping up. Now because the oversized government
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HIMACHAL NEEDS A REGIONAL PARTY
BY Ravinder Makhaik
cannot meet its rising expenditures, it slices up the river and hands it to private and government companies for power generation. From a river flowing in harmony with the landscape, it has become one of flowing gold where each megawatt of power is eyed as an potential goose that lays the golden egg. Look at the case of Pandoh dam diverting the River Beas, decades ago. Mandi, the town of temples is devoid of the life and freshness the river provided to a religious life that must have existed when it had ghats where the religious offered their daily prayers. Norway is the largest producer of hydropower in Europe but it consciously has decided not to tap at least 30 percent of its existing potential because of environmental concerns.
We have no such provisions in our policy. One can walk into the state, self identify a hydro project and to hell with environmental concerns, peoples water rights and all else. Take the case of land mafia: No government of the day is even boldly willing to acknowledge the presence of a land mafia. Thousands of benami property deals made on power of attorney, or affidavits are reported in the media but no serious data is ever disclosed or an inquiry constituted to get to the truth. As the country’s economy grows and as global warming impacts livelihoods, the newer rich class buy up properties and farmlands in hills (some do so conveniently with the consent of the government and some without it).
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HIMACHAL NEEDS A REGIONAL PARTY
BY Ravinder Makhaik
Simple hill folks are bought out easily and banished from their traditional lifestyles forever. If Himachal is to be defended for the people who have maintained the sanctity of the Himalayas, then it has to be by people who judiciously realize what is good and what is bad for those who have inhabited these lands over centuries. Case for Regional Party: Surely more than words are needed to support and fund a political outfit. Experiments have been tried earlier but it was Himachal Vikas Congress (maybe not a very good example) which demonstrated how a regional outfit could hold the balance of power in a highly polarized political system. Should a regional outfit get center stage (it will not get outright major-
ity but only a controlling stake), brakes to policy detrimental to states interests could be applied. After all a regional party is not answerable to any central High Command whose interests at times trample upon the interest of the people living here. Living in isolated valleys, where political power is still feudal in nature, to form a regional party would need cutting across the divide of lower and upper areas. Somebody needs to put a spike in this wheel of alternate power sharing arrangement, where the game is played out as – ‘you scratch my back, I scratch your’. Unless the status quo is not threatened, no movement forward can be envisioned. If the Himalayas cannot be defended by Himalayan People, nobody else will. forever.
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MH : INTERVIEWS
An Interview with Ben Heron for the SEED Shimla: Hello friends! Today, I’m very glad to introduce you and talk to Mr. Ben Heron(centre), of Biolaya Organics, one of the winners of SEED Initiative Award for their project investigating Himalayan oregano essential oil as an antibacterial agent for MRSA. Biolaya Organics, Jagriti, SGS India, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development and the University of West of England joined forces to provide a sustainable income to remote villages of Himachal Pradesh, through the collection of Himalayan oregano. The distilled oil has strong market potential, having proven to be a potent anti-bacterial agent The SEED Initiative is an international programme backed by the UN that promotes and supports entrepreneurial partnerships that develop innovative, locally led solutions to the global challenges of sustainable development. The
SEED awards provide backing to projects that are in an early stage of development and have high potential for growth and replication. The Himalayan Oregano project was one of five winners selected from over 400 global applications. Disappointed by the recent publicity in the media Ben says that they have failed to convey the fact that this is primarily a conservation initiative aimed at providing sustainable livelihoods to herb collectors. Let’s know more about the project in his own words. Disha Singh: How does it feel to win SEED award? Please throw some light over the achievement. Ben Heron: We are delighted to have won a SEED award! It is a huge opportunity for us – over the next year the SEED initiative will provide us with raining, market research, publicity and general backing to take the concept forward. Without
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An Interview with Ben Heron for the SEED support it would be a very ambitious project, but we really feel that the objectives we have set ourselves are now really achievable.
This can only happen though if appropriate value addition and market linkages are made so that a fair share of the profits can be paid to the collectors.
Disha Singh: When and how did the Oregano oil project started? Ben Heron: The oregano oil project is part of a broader initiative to conserve endangered species of medicinal plants and develop sustainable livelihoods in Himachal Pradesh. We started researching wild oregano in 2006 after indentifying it as a species that has potential for sustainable collection; the fact that its essential oil has value as an antimicrobial agent is something that we only came to learn about later while researching options for value addition.
Disha: How did Biolaya Organics, Jagriti, SGS India, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development and the University of West of England get together to bring out the Oregano Oil Project? Please throw light over their area of contribution to the research? Ben: The different partners of the oregano oil project all contribute unique skills, which will be required to make it a success:
Many herb collectors are dependent on the collection of endangered species for their livelihoods. Oregano is just one of many non-timber forest products that has the potential to provide the collectors with an alternative source of income.
• Jagriti is a community-based organisation based in Kullu working on sustainable livelihoods and women’s empowerment in remote parts of the district. Jagriti will be working with their village groups to develop a small community enterprise to produce oregano oil. Their distillation unit will be run by group members and will also be used to produce essential oils for use in
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An Interview with Ben Heron for the SEED their handmade soap enterprise. • Biolaya Organics is a small fair trade company based in Dashal Village in Kullu working on sustainable production and conservation of medicinal herbs. Biolaya is the main coordinator of the project, developing systems for sustainable collection and distillation, quality assurance and traceability, and is creating links with companies to market the oregano oil and produce a final product. • The G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development is an autonomous Institute of the Ministry of Environment and Forests working in conservation of natural resources and ensuring environmentally sound development in the Indian Himalayan Region. The GBPIHED Himachal Unit will be conducting studies to assess and monitor sustainable collection methods, and carrying out trials to calculate the economics of cultivating oregano for essential oil production.
• SGS India is a regional unit of the global inspection, verification, testing and certification company, SGS Group. Microbiologist at SGS are carrying out research into the antimicrobial properties of oregano oil, testing its efficacy against different types of bacteria and fungi, and comparing it against a wide range of conventional anti-bacterial products. SGS conduct routine tests to assess the carvacrol content of the oregano oil. • The University of the West of England are using state of the art technology to affirm SGS’s results and conduct further tests to assess the efficacy and uses of potential end products. UWE will be working with SGS to publish a paper in a scientific journal. UWE’s Research, Business and Innovation department is conducting market research to assess which products the oil could be used in and which companies may be interested to develop these products and create direct links with the producers.
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An Interview with Ben Heron for the SEED In this way the partnership creates a direct link between the primary producers and the final product by developing a transparent chain of research, value addition and market linkages. We hope that this partnership will create a model that can be replicated with other herb species, whereby resources that can be sustainably managed are utilised in a way that directly benefit the communities as well as those who will be using the final products.
ano, so all we can say with conviction is that it is very effective at killing bacteria and fungus.
Disha: What is Oregano called in local language? Ben: We have asked many people in different areas of Kullu what oregano is called in the local language and most of them tell us that it has no name – they call it ‘bekaar ghaas’. We have heard from some people in Seraj however that it is called maalza, and in the Lag Valley we were told that it is Disha: What are the special features called chumbar. In Uttaranchal it is called of oregano oil? Is it useful in any bantulsi – this can be misleading though as there are a number of other species in other purpose than killing MRSA? Ben: On the internet there are many India that are also called bantulsi. claims regarding the uses of Mediterranean oregano oil. People say it can be Disha: Can it be grown in the farms by used to treat indigestion, diarrhea, ner- the farmers? If yes, how? vous tension, insect bites, toothache, earache, rheumatism and much more. Ben: Yes oregano can be cultivated, but Whether or not this is true we cannot we do not know yet whether it will be profsay – there are a lot of such claims on itable, nor do we know what effect cultivathe internet! Very little research has tion will have on the anti-bacterial properbeen done on the Himalayan wild oreg- ties of the essential oil. These are all areas Brought To You By www.himachal.us
An Interview with Ben Heron for the SEED of research that the G.B. Pant Institute Disha: What are the dark sides of oregwill be looking at in the next couple of ano? Ben: None as far as I’m aware! years. Disha: Will it be possible to see oregano oil being used in bathing soaps in near future? Is oregano oil safe on human skin? Ben: Yes, we hope to see oregano oil being used in bathing soaps soon. Jagriti have already started production of handmade soaps with women’s groups in the Lag Valley and will be producing oregano soap in 2009, and there has already been interest from a company in the UK to buy the oil for use in an antibacterial hand wash.
Disha: “Our aim is to be able to pay the local herb collectors the equivalent amount that they would normally earn from collecting endangered medicinal herb species so that they become less dependent on the extraction of these plants for their livelihoods.” What are your plans to implement these words? Ben: This is our objective; to what extent will be able to meet this aim will become clearer over time. We are conducting surveys in the villages in Kullu district to assess how much people are earning from the collection of endangered herbs. At the same time we are also carrying out studies to assess the cost-benefits of oregano collection and how much companies can afford to pay for the oil.
The University of the West of England is carrying out research to assess whether or not the oregano oil is safe to use on human skin. Used undiluted on open wounds the oil burns like chilli. UWE’s research will assess at what dilutions it We are exploring the possibility of applying for FairWild certification, which is a combineeds to be used. nation of FairTrade standards and the InBrought To You By www.himachal.us
An Interview with Ben Heron for the SEED ternational Standards for Sustainable Collection of medicinal plants. Through this certification scheme there is an obligation for complete transparency between all the companies involved to ensure a fair price is paid to the collectors.
alistic minds of the people? Ben: There is a lot of oregano growing in other parts of the world that are likely to keep the prices of the oregano oil very competitive, so at the moment there is no guarantee that this is going to earn us or anyone else much profit. If it does turn out to be profitable then it is inevitable that it will attract the attention of traders who have less concern for the environment. If this is the case then I believe the most important thing to do is educate the local right-holders about sustainable collection methods and encourage them to protect their own resources. Ultimately it is in their interest and the interest of their children to conserve their natural resource base. If a large demand is created then we will encourage cultivation of oregano in people’s high altitude fields.
Disha: When do you plan to start plucking and collecting the oregano herb? Ben: We have already been carrying trials for the last two years. In 2007 we collected small quantities from different locations at different times of the year so that SGS could do laboratory tests to assess its efficacy as an antimicrobial. In 2008 we started identifying collectors who have traditional rights in the areas in which oregano is growing, providing them with training and organising a few days collection in each location. We plan to organise a larger collection in 2009. Disha: What problems have you faced during the research? Disha: Are there any measures tak- Ben: One of the only problems up until now en by you people to save the herb is from recent publicity in the media, which from being exploited by the materi- has failed to convey the fact that this is Brought To You By www.himachal.us
An Interview with Ben Heron for the SEED primarily a conservation initiative aimed at providing sustainable livelihoods to herb collectors. Much of the press attention has focused on the research we have been doing with MRSA, giving the impression that this is a project led by laboratory researchers, whereas in fact this is very much a grassroots initiative set up by locals from Himachal. Disha: Finally, few words to our readers and to those who would like to help you guys in your project in any shape? Ben: Once the enterprise is successfully up and running we will also be looking for other partners to replicate the project in other part of Himachal Pradesh where wild oregano is growing – if you are interested in getting involved, please let us know. Ben Heron is based in the Kullu Valley since 2000 and has worked on a number of projects related to conservation and sustainability, first with the Ananda Society, then with Sehyog Research Group, and now Biolaya Organics.
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A word with Raid de Himalaya champion Suresh Rana, the one name which has made a five consecutive wins in Raidde-Himalaya, offers his recipe for success to motorsport aspirants as “Mind should always be faster than the machine.” You can see him driving white Maruti Gypsy (HP-66-1111) with “RANA” written on the driver’s window, Rana talks to winds in his darling gypsy to win numerous rallies. Planning to give chance to others Rana might not compete in the RAID, he said. If he happens to be on the RAID, he will not be seen in his Maruti Gypsy. You’ll see him in his newly sponsored 1600cc Maruti Baleno. Know him better in his own words in shape of this interview: Disha Singh: How does it feel to make fifth consecutive Raid de Himalaya win? Suresh Rana: I feel on top of the world.
Its just great. Disha Singh: The idea of motor-sports was given to you by somebody else, is that true? Can you throw some light upon your motor-sports journey till date? Suresh Rana: Motorsports was always in my blood. Managing a local garage I literally breathed engines 24×7. This was fuelled by watching WRC/ WSC events on television. It was also when raid officials spotted me driving maruti gypsy in my area, and suggested me to take part.Hence the inspiration. I participated in the raid in 2001 when the event was started. Disha: For those who don’t know your achievements, kindly enlist for them? Rana: Raid De Himalaya 2001 over all 6th 3rd in-group N with carburetor gypsy Raid De Himalaya 2002 over all 2nd 1st in-group N carburetor gyp-
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A word with Raid de Himalaya champion sy Raid De Himalaya 2003 over all 5th 1st in-group N carburetor gypsy Raid De Himalaya 2004 over all 1st with MPI gypsy Raid De Hiamalya 2005 over all 1st Desert storm 2004 2nd in gypsy Sjoba thunderbolt 2004 2nd in gypsy Sjoba thunderbolt 2005 2nd in gypsy INRC Delhi round 2005 2nd in gypsy cup Disha: Who are your prime inspirations? Rana: I draw my inspirations from the mountains. Since this a sport nobody is keen about its difficult to draw inspiration sitting in a remote valley of the Himalayas. I am more or less self inspired. Disha: What do you think about motorsports in Himachal Pradesh and in India?
Rana: I think Himachal has great potential for motor sports. The Himalayan Car rally was one of the best rallies in the world. And it makes me wonder when will it start again. The rugged roads , amazing scenery, high altitudes and friendliest of people make it an ideal destination for testing man and machine. The HP government should do something to promote this sport and state as an international arena for car rallied. Disha: What is your dream? Rana: It would be great to be the INRC � Overall Champion � in 2009. I have won the championship just in the gypsy category. A dream is also to see this sport getting more popularity in our country. Disha: Does Suresh Rana fear from something? Rana: Yes I am very afraid of getting injected.
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A word with Raid de Himalaya champion Disha: Your most unforgettable moment/s? Rana: The worst memory was when the raid got stuck in Sarchu (the Himachal& J-K border towards Ladakh) and we all had to be evacuated. It was pretty grim as we could not do anything to the forces of nature. It was near death experience and the happiest moment also came in the same episode of being evacuated. Disha: What do you do off-thewheels? Rana: I run a motor garage and am planning to start India’s first ” Mountain Rally School” in Kullu. Disha: Who is Suresh Rana in flesh and blood? Rana: Suresh Rana is a simple human being deriving pleasures from small things in life and enjoying every moment that God life has to offer.
Disha: What problems are you facing and would wish the Government to do something about them, for the well of this daring sport? Rana: I think Sponsorship is the main problem we small town daredevils face. Not being able to connect to the corporate world leaves us fund starved at the end of this very expensive sport. The Government should plan some serious sporting routes in Himachal and promote is as a key adventure sports activity. Disha: Finally, your suggestion to the newbies in the world of motorsports? Rana: Enjoy motorsports while remembering ” Mind should always be faster than the machine” . Play safe. (Thank you Suresh for sparing your precious time with us.)
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MH : SPORTS
Yogesh Lakhani wins Shimla Motorcycle Challenge BY Neha Chandok
The final round of the Shimla Motorcycle Challenge 2008 got off this morning though Sundeep Kumar from Delhi high-sided on his way to the venue while his buddy Dheeraj Kumar Singh decided to pull out to be with him. Lap 1 started at 10:23 hrs as Yogesh Lakhani, the winner of the Raid de Himalayas-two wheeler category maintained his dominance ending the lap with fastest time of 10:36, followed by Rajan Sidhu with 10:46 and Chirag Thakur at 10:51. Rupinder Singh with 10:53 and Aneesh Awasthi with 10:57 were the only other riders to post a sub-eleven minute time.
dominant position in a lap that saw most of the riders going slower than in the first Lap. Lap 3 saw Yogesh and Rajan racing neck to neck which was a feast for any adventure sport follower. At the end of the lap, Rajan set a time of 10:49 while Aneesh Awasthi set the fastest time for the Lap at 10:36 to tie with Yogesh for the fastest lap.
In the same lap itself, Vivek Arora’s nasty fall on the downhill tarmac resulted in him being evacuated and out of competition. Lap 2 saw Aneesh Awasthi stall his bike due to an electrical failure just a km from the start giving a good chance to Lakhani to maintain his Brought To You By www.himachal.us
Suresh Rana, Ashish Moudhgil finish as winners.
BY Neha Chandok
Proving his mettle against the mighty mountains, Manali lad Suresh Rana raced to victory for the consecutive fifth time as he emerged winner of the tenth Raid de Himalaya Xtreme 4 wheelers while Ashish Moudhgil who was trailing back at number two position in the Xtreme 2 Wheelers category sped off to regain his number one position for the third time.
the group followed by Ajay Singh, Rajesh Chalana, J.S. Rana, and Manoj Vaidya respectively. Raid has halted at Panzi La for the day and would see prize distribution tomorrow.
Sanket Shanbagh managed the number two position while Harprit Singh Bawa, Capt. Amarinder S Brar and Anil Wadia maintained their positions at third, fourth and fifth respectively. In the Xtreme 2 wheeler category Ashish was followed by Sandeep S. Matharu. While Prashant Kumar, Yogesh Lakhani and Karanbir Singh Bedi sped off to number three, four and five positions respectively. Klaudia Honeder managed to finish at sixth position. In the adventure trail, K.Prasad leads Brought To You By www.himachal.us
MH : HUMOUR
Crosswater politics of Shimla!
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By Mujeeb Hussain
MH : EXPLORES
Mcleodganj-little Tibet of India Situated in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, Mcleodganj is the upper part of a sleepy town known as Dharamshala, resting in the foothills of Dhauladhar range. The town offers majestic views of the mighty Dhauladhar ranges above, the Kangra settlement below while having a sedative effect, far from the hustle bustle of the modern times. Dhauladhar meaning “white ridge” justifies its name with breathtaking, snowcapped ranges of about 17,000 feet. A mention from the times of British says, “No scenery, in my opinion, presents such sublime and delightful contrasts. Below lays the plain, a picture of rural loveliness and repose… Turning from this scene of peaceful beauty, the stern and majestic hills confront us… above all are wastes of snow to rest on”, seems perfect for McleodGanj, which is definitely about repose and peace.
BY Neha Chandok
As a town, Dharamsala can be divided into two very different parts- Kotwali Bazaar also known as the lower Dharamsala and McLeodGunj usually called as upper Dharamsala. McLeodGunj is nine kilometers by bus route and four kilometers by taxi route up the hill from Kotwali Bazaar. While inhabitants of Lower Dharamsala are almost all Indians, McLeodGunj is primarily a Tibetan area. McLeodGunj is surrounded by pine, Himalayan oak, rhododendron and deodar forests. Through the pages of history Looking back in history, the texts tell us that by 1855, Dharamsala had only two major areas where civilians settled in: McLeodganj which was named after Punjab’s Lieutenant Governor- David McLeod and Forsyth Ganj named after a Divisional Commissioner. It was Lord Elgin; the British Viceroy of India (1862-63) who first noticed the charms which Dharamsala’s scenic beauty had to
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Mcleodganj-little Tibet of India offer. It is said that Lord Elgin found it similar to Scotland. Not only that, he died in 1863 when he was on a tour to the town and now lies buried in the graveyard of St. John’s Church-in-Wilderness. In the earlier years of 20th century, Forsyth Ganj and McLeodGanj were one of the important regions of trade and commerce though the earthquake on April 4, 1905 resulted in severe destruction which is one reason how the today standing Kotwali bazaar which first had only a jail and police station came into being. Till 1947 McLeod Ganj and Forsyth Ganj continued to serve as health resorts and resting places for the British Rulers. After Independence the place lost its importance and faded into history but the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959 quickly changed everything. It was in the year 1959 when gov-
BY Neha Chandok
ernment of India decided to grant political asylum to the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatsho. In 1960, Dalai Lama was permitted to make McLeodGanj his headquarters. With him came a thousand Tibetan refugees who not only settles in the place but also started trade, made the place come alive with their culture and adopted it as their home away from home. Thereafter, the place has been an area of interest for reasons both cultural and political. It is the residence of His Holiness Dalai Lama which lies opposite the Tsuglag Khang, or the Central Cathedral that attracts a number of tourists from far and near. About ten minutes’ walk from McLeodGunj, Dalai Lama is known for his hospitality and receiving public audiences. Visitors can apply for public audiences at the Branch Security Office in McLeod Gunj, near Hotel Tibet, though applications pertaining to private audiences need to be made in writing to his secretary in advance.
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Mcleodganj-little Tibet of India Library of Tibetan Works And Archives (LTWA) The Library of Tibetan Works And Archives (LTWA) is situated in the Central Tibetan Administration building and was established in 1971 as a storehouse to protect the antique cultural objects, books and manuscripts from Tibet. The library has since then been known for producing scholars and has gained a repute of an international centre for anyone interested in Tibetan studies or culture. It supports eight departments: research and translation; publications; oral history and film documentation; reading room; Tibetan studies; Tibetan manuscripts; a museum and a school meant for thangka painting and woodcarving. The library itself supports a team of scholars from Tibet engaged in exploration, translation, training and publication of books. LTWA also offers classes in Buddhist
BY Neha Chandok
philosophy and the Tibetan language and brings books and booklets on varied aspects of Tibetan culture. Tibetan Institute Of Performing Arts (TIPA) Tibetan Institute Of Performing Arts, also known as TIPA is within fifteen minutes’ walk from McLeodGunj. Founded in 1959, TIPA was the very first institution in exile and known for the colourful and unique folk opera of Tibet called as ‘lhamo’. TIPA preserves the musical heritage and conserves dance and theatrical traditions from Tibet. The institute has a modern Theater Troupe which puts on contemporary plays. It holds a yearly Folk Opera Festival in April where a number of folk operas, dance, plays, concerts and music are presented. Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture The flourishing, acceptance and welcome of institutes as mentioned above lead to
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Mcleodganj-little Tibet of India the establishment of the Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture by the Department of Religion and Culture to promote Tibetan art and culture. The institute derives its name from Dalai Lama’s beautiful summer residence, the Norbulingka (Jewel Garden). The town is now known for a lot of Tibetan literature that is published by the scholars settled in. ‘The Tibet Journal’, an international scholarly journal on Tibetan culture, ‘Sheja’, a monthly and ‘Tibetan Freedom’, a weekly are a few known names. Tibetan Bulletin, a bi-monthly magazine in English, Tibbat Desh, a bi-monthly in Hindi, Tibet Bulletin, a bi-monthly in Chinese, Rangzen in both Tibetan and English are also being published. The Institute of Buddhist Dialectics publishes Lhaksam Tsekpa to interpret the broad issues of western political thought and ideas while the Department of Religion and Culture takes out Cho-Yang on cul-
BY Neha Chandok
ture and Buddhism. There are a number of second-hand bookshops where you can buy cheaper, used yet quality books. The Tibetan market offers almost everything of one’s need in an exquisite style. Local Indian traditions are celebrated with as much enthusiasm while Tibetans have made it more attractive with their own festival celebrations like Losar (Tibetan New Year), Dalai Lama’s birthday, celebrated on July 6. Tibetan food is as readily served as the Indian food. Mcleodganj of today holds a rich, colourful life to offer. As the day dawns the life picks up slowly yet relaxed. It is truly the little Tibet of India.
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