The ancestral house of India-born British writer Salman Rushdie, situated on the fringe of the Shilly Wildlife Sanctuary on the Forest Road area of the town, is in a shambles. Awaiting whitewash and repairs on its tin roof since the author last visited the house in 2000, the house appears to be in a complete state of neglect.
Spread over three bighas of land, the sprawling bungalow, Anees Villa, which once witnessed activity when it housed the office of the state Education Department, currently wears a deserted look and needs proper upkeep. The main gate of the bungalow, which was damaged after a huge eucalyptus tree fell on it last month, needs repairs.
The bungalow came into limelight when Rushdie filed a writ petition in the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 1993, staking claim to it through his counsel Vijay S.T. Shankadass.
Full report here Hindustan Times
Showing posts with label Himachal Pradesh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Himachal Pradesh. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Dhumal releases Minakshi Chaudhry’s Love Stories of Shimla Hills
After release of the Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai, recording heritage tales about mostly colonial building of Shimla, recently, chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today released Love Stories of Shimla Hills, written by Minakshi Chaudhry.
A profuse writer, this is the 9th book from Minakshi’s pen in 12 years.
‘Love Stories of Shimla Hills’ is a collection of love tales that have woven into the folklore of the hill society.
Providing a glimpse of the special relationship that Jawaharlal Nehru had for first lady Ediwna Mountbatten, wife of last Viceroy Lord Mountbatten is the story A Spiritual Bond: Edwina and Jawaharlal Nehru, the love life of famed artist Amrita Shergil, the scandalous love tale about Scandal Point, the tragic Love Story of a Sati, When Rani Became a Boy and a recent one about A Song that Changed Their Lives – the story of Shanta.
Speaking about the book Minakshi says that besides historical romances there are true romances, which took over an year to research and write about.
Full report here My HImachal
‘Love Stories of Shimla Hills’ is a collection of love tales that have woven into the folklore of the hill society.
Providing a glimpse of the special relationship that Jawaharlal Nehru had for first lady Ediwna Mountbatten, wife of last Viceroy Lord Mountbatten is the story A Spiritual Bond: Edwina and Jawaharlal Nehru, the love life of famed artist Amrita Shergil, the scandalous love tale about Scandal Point, the tragic Love Story of a Sati, When Rani Became a Boy and a recent one about A Song that Changed Their Lives – the story of Shanta.
Speaking about the book Minakshi says that besides historical romances there are true romances, which took over an year to research and write about.
Full report here My HImachal
Book About Love Stories in the Shimla Hills!
A book containing 16 stories based on love affairs of the rich and famous that grew in the idyllic environs of the Queen of Hills was released in Shimla on August 13 by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.
Titled Love Stories Of Shimla Hills, the book blows the lid off the infatuation that developed between yesteryear actress Sadhana and the director of a film which was being shot in the picturesque Shimla hills.
The book, written by Meenakshi Chaudhry, also contains a piece on how the special bonding between Jawaharlal Nehru and Edwina Mountbatten strengthened during their frequent visits to the Himachal hills in the 1940s.
The stories dating back to the 16th century are an attempt to capture the changing shades of love over the years, the author said at the launch.
"My purpose of narrating these stories is celebrating love and not to defame, malign anyone or to hurt feelings. These are true stories. However, I have changed some names and characters in a few stories on the request of people to protect their identity", she said.
Full report here Outlook
Titled Love Stories Of Shimla Hills, the book blows the lid off the infatuation that developed between yesteryear actress Sadhana and the director of a film which was being shot in the picturesque Shimla hills.
The book, written by Meenakshi Chaudhry, also contains a piece on how the special bonding between Jawaharlal Nehru and Edwina Mountbatten strengthened during their frequent visits to the Himachal hills in the 1940s.
The stories dating back to the 16th century are an attempt to capture the changing shades of love over the years, the author said at the launch.
"My purpose of narrating these stories is celebrating love and not to defame, malign anyone or to hurt feelings. These are true stories. However, I have changed some names and characters in a few stories on the request of people to protect their identity", she said.
Full report here Outlook
Himachal CM releases a book titled ‘Love Stories of Shimla Hills’
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister Himachal on August 13 released a book titled Love Stories of Shimla Hills written by Mrs. Minakshi Chaudhry.
Chief Minister lauded the efforts of Mrs Minakshi Chaudhry in bringing out the book, which is ninth in a row and said that she has been contributing a lot and was an inspiration for others. He hoped that she would continue her endeavours, which would be a good contribution for the society.
The present book of Minakshi peep into the stories like Scandal Point, A Spiritual Bond: Edwina and Jawahar Lal Nehru, Love Story of a Sati, When Rani Became a Boy, Amrita Shergil, Love in Shimla and A Song that Changed Their lives- the story of Shanta, a bright, young girl who was the most promising sportsperson in Himachal in early eighties. How a pahari nati O ladi shanta, aadhi bahin ri skivi changed her live forever. The book has these and many more real tales of love including the first internet marriage of Shimla and a Love Story of a Ghost.
Minakshi Chaudhry is an author based at Shimla. She did her schooling from Nigeria, West Africa where she spent her formative years and developed deep interest in studying people and places. This was nurtured on her return to Himachal, her home State, where she traveled extensively reporting news and events for the Indian Express. A keen observer of culture and people’s lifestyle, she has travelled across the continents. She is author of nine books which include an anthology and a book where she is a co-author. Her books include the bestselling Ghost Stories of Shimla Hills and the following Whispering Deodars: Writings from Shimla Hills, Destination Himachal: 120 offbeat and 12 Popular Getaways, Himachal: A Guide to the Land of Gods.
Full report here NVO
Chief Minister lauded the efforts of Mrs Minakshi Chaudhry in bringing out the book, which is ninth in a row and said that she has been contributing a lot and was an inspiration for others. He hoped that she would continue her endeavours, which would be a good contribution for the society.
The present book of Minakshi peep into the stories like Scandal Point, A Spiritual Bond: Edwina and Jawahar Lal Nehru, Love Story of a Sati, When Rani Became a Boy, Amrita Shergil, Love in Shimla and A Song that Changed Their lives- the story of Shanta, a bright, young girl who was the most promising sportsperson in Himachal in early eighties. How a pahari nati O ladi shanta, aadhi bahin ri skivi changed her live forever. The book has these and many more real tales of love including the first internet marriage of Shimla and a Love Story of a Ghost.
Minakshi Chaudhry is an author based at Shimla. She did her schooling from Nigeria, West Africa where she spent her formative years and developed deep interest in studying people and places. This was nurtured on her return to Himachal, her home State, where she traveled extensively reporting news and events for the Indian Express. A keen observer of culture and people’s lifestyle, she has travelled across the continents. She is author of nine books which include an anthology and a book where she is a co-author. Her books include the bestselling Ghost Stories of Shimla Hills and the following Whispering Deodars: Writings from Shimla Hills, Destination Himachal: 120 offbeat and 12 Popular Getaways, Himachal: A Guide to the Land of Gods.
Full report here NVO
Thursday, August 12, 2010
A book that chronicles Shimla's glorious past
Shimla was a nondescript hamlet with shepherd hutments that became a flourishing town with palatial bungalows and hotels. Capturing this journey is a coffee table book, with rare photographs of imperial buildings and stories of eminent personalities and events in the last 188 years.
'In 1822, the first house was built in Shimla, then a village, and it took another almost 44 years when this number grew to 290,' says the book, 'Har Ghar Kuchh Kehta Hai' - literally meaning 'every house tells a story'.
'Till 1841, there were only 100 houses. The population in 1881 was only 13,258 that increased to 4,803 Europeans and 38,539 Indians in 1921,' says the book unveiled by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.
The book brought out by the Himachal Pradesh tourism department says the first house built by a European in 1822 was Kennedy House, which was the residence of Charles Pratt Kennedy, the newly-appointed political officer to the hill states.
It was located at the site where the parking lot of the state legislative assembly is now.
Full report here Sify
'In 1822, the first house was built in Shimla, then a village, and it took another almost 44 years when this number grew to 290,' says the book, 'Har Ghar Kuchh Kehta Hai' - literally meaning 'every house tells a story'.
'Till 1841, there were only 100 houses. The population in 1881 was only 13,258 that increased to 4,803 Europeans and 38,539 Indians in 1921,' says the book unveiled by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.
The book brought out by the Himachal Pradesh tourism department says the first house built by a European in 1822 was Kennedy House, which was the residence of Charles Pratt Kennedy, the newly-appointed political officer to the hill states.
It was located at the site where the parking lot of the state legislative assembly is now.
Full report here Sify
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Dhumal releases book on Himachal
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, today released the book ‘Himachal- Sanskritik Avam Prakritik Paryatan’ authored by Prof. Mohan Maitreya, a renowned educationist. The book contains descriptive compilation of information of different places of interest to tourists and temples of different deities to cater to the informative requirements of devotees visiting Himachal Pradesh. He also released two other publications ‘Talash’ and ‘Jeevan Ek Aiyana’ authored by Ms. Vidhu Matreya Bhanot.
Chief Minister congratulated the authors for their maiden ventures and the efforts they had put in bringing out the publications. He said that the book on Himachal was one of the finest collection of data with regard to the places of tourist interest and temples etc. which would not only benefit the tourists but the research scholars working on such projects. He said that the details of places and its historic background would generate interest amongst the visitors to know the place better through their personal visits. He said that the publication was bound to inspire the budding writers to explore greater horizons available in naturally beautiful State of Himachal Pradesh so that the unexplored and virgin locations in the State were known to people around the world.
Full report here NVO
Full report here NVO
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Hastings author brings Indian architecture to life
The cedar and stone abodes of India's Himachal Pradesh province may be a long way from Hastings, but one local resident is being praised for her work to bring awareness to the buildings.
Skye Morrison, owner of The Doors Guest House in Hastings, was recently awarded the Critics Choice Award for Best Written Work on Architecture from the Foundation For Architectural and Environmental Awareness for her book Matra: Ways of Measuring Vernacular Built Forms of Himachal Pradesh. Co-written with Professor Jay Thakkar from the School of Interior Design at CEPT University in Ahmedabad, India, the project was something of a surprise for the folklore expert.
"I ended up writing this book, from scratch, in just four months," Dr. Morrison explained. "It was an interesting process for me because I wanted to know that I could write a book, but would have never in a million years thought this would be the book I would write. But when the opportunity presented itself I just thought, why not?"
Full report here Northumberland news
"I ended up writing this book, from scratch, in just four months," Dr. Morrison explained. "It was an interesting process for me because I wanted to know that I could write a book, but would have never in a million years thought this would be the book I would write. But when the opportunity presented itself I just thought, why not?"
Full report here Northumberland news
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Himachal Pradesh CM releases book
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister released book for children titled Bindas Bandar Aur Batooni Baarat authored by Smt. Indu Ranchan, in Shimla on May 3.
Chief Minister congratulated Smt. Ranchan for bringing out a book for children which was different from the literature available in the market. He said that there were very few publications for children and efforts of Smt. Indu Ranchan in this respect was praiseworthy. He said that with catchy title the book contained interesting stories and information which would be beneficial to the budding talents. He emphasized the need for bringing out more such publications for the children, which could enhance their mental level and understanding of different aspects in their future endeavours.
Full report here India Education Diary
Full report here India Education Diary
Monday, April 5, 2010
Himachal wants its Pahari language in constitution
The Himachal Pradesh assembly on April 1, Thursday passed a resolution recommending the inclusion of the state’s Pahari language in the constitution.
The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, was passed by a voice vote in the house.
‘It’s spoken not only in the state but also in neighbouring states too. It’s rich in literature and its needs to be preserved,’ Dhumal said.
‘The Pahari language is present in 10 local dialects, including Sirmouri, Kulluvi, Kangri and Mahajavi,’ he added.
Full report here Calcuttatube
The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, was passed by a voice vote in the house.
‘It’s spoken not only in the state but also in neighbouring states too. It’s rich in literature and its needs to be preserved,’ Dhumal said.
‘The Pahari language is present in 10 local dialects, including Sirmouri, Kulluvi, Kangri and Mahajavi,’ he added.
Full report here Calcuttatube
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