Chilling cold in Kullu

For many families in Kullu, the chilling cold has compelled them to ponder if this winter had any precedent. Well, their point looks valid, especially, when one recalls similar days and nights full of shivering, experienced a decade ago. In the absence of any snowfall, the main fascination for tourists, and harsh weather conditions have made residents' life a misery, badly affecting the tourism industry of the Valley.

During this time of the year Kullu valley is normally packed with tourists, who visit the place to experience snowfall. But this year there is just dry cold wind blowing which in turn has dampened the season.

Season Ist Assembly in Dharamshala

For the first time in the history of Himachal politics, the winter session of the State Assembly will be held outside the state capital Shimla from December 26 to December 29.

Meanwhile, local Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Sunil Manocha has accused the Virbhadra Singh's Government of indulging in lavish expenditure for the session. He said that it would have been better if the money had been used for the welfare and development of Kangra district.

This year's session is being held at Dharamshala in the state's Kangra District. The session is being held at Prayas Bhawan of the Dharamshala Government College and will have four sittings. Moreover, important legislative business will be undertaken during the session.

Ist phase of panchayat elections held peacefully

The first phase of panchayat elections in Himachal went off peacefully on Sunday with some of the areas even expecting results of the panchayat pradhans (presidents). There were direct elections for the panchayat presidents, BDC members and Zila Parishad members in one third panchayats of the State.
The second and third phase of polling in villages will be held on 18th and 20th December and the urban local bodies would go to poll on 24th December.
The State Government had announced this time a grant of Rs. 10 lakh for the Panchayats who would elect their members unopposed. And in the process 304 panchayats in the State have been elected unanimously by the villagers.

Gram Nayayalayas establishment stressed

Irrigation and Public Health Minister and Law Minister, Kaul Singh Thakur said that today all disputes in Malana village in Kullu District of the state are being settled by the village parliament and no case is filed in the court by the residents. The village is perhaps oldest republic of the world. Kaul Singh was speaking in National Law Ministers and Law Secretaries Conference to discuss proposed Gram Nyalayas Bill in Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi.
He said that court cases pendency has been reduced significantly in the state due to excellent performance of subordinate courts, which are being assessed periodically by State High Court in Shimla.
He also said that Gram Nayayalays will strengthen the grass-root level administrative and judicial units in the country and ensure speedy, cost effective and quality justice to the needy people.

Lama Dance of Himachal

Every year Khampagar monastery in Himachal Pradesh transforms into a vista of cultural extravaganza. Its courtyard reverberates with the clang of cymbals and the music of trumpets. For, this is the time when dressed in traditional attires, Buddhist monks(Lamas) of the monastery participate in its special dance form--Lama dance.
The Lama dance, is a special Buddhist dance performed by monks on ceremonial days. But every year for two weeks it is performed in Khampagar monastery, situated 40 kilometres from Dharamshala. The ancient traditional practice of Lama dance is a part of the Mahakala Puja held recently by the monks of the Drukpa Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism.

HP CM lays foundation stone of study centre of HP University at Noida

Himachal Pradesh University Shimla plans to be global by launching its programmes in the other countries and is set to become digital in its offering and interactions. This was disclosed by Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister while laying the foundation stone of Study Centre of Himachal Pradesh University at Noida near New Delhi today to be constructed at a cost of Rs. four crore.

He said that HP University is the only University in the country which has state wide coverage.He said that through this centre the students of national capital region area will be provided all facilities. He said that this Centre would be constructed on 850 sq. meters and this project will be completed by December, 2006.

Rohtang Pass in Manali

Rohtang pass is situated 51 km from Manali at an altitude of 3978 m (13400 ft), on the highway of Keylong. It is a gateway to Lahaul Valley. There is a beautiful Dashohar lake, left of the pass. It offers immense trekking oppurtunities.
Here one sees the majesty of the mountains at its height and splendour. At the top of the Pass the air seems to glitter against the snow as you look down over herringboned ridges into the Lahaul Valley. The pass is covered with snow for nearly nine months in the whole year.
The pass is open from June to September each year. The pass normally opens for traffic after mid-June and officially closes in November. Regular bus services are available.

Government is under no pressure, CM

Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh has said that his Government was not under any pressure not to take action against Additional Director-General of Police Bhupinder Singh Thind if he was found guilty of charges against him.
He also said that a CBI enquiry into the charges against the police officer was going on and the facts were yet to be ascertained. He maintained that the Government had asked for an explanation from the officer after receiving the letter from the CBI.
Mr. Thind had alleged that some people were professionally against him and unnecessarily dragging his name into controversies.

Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary in Chamba

Tne sanctuary is located in Chamba. It is about 6kms from Dalhousie and 86kms from Pathankot. This sanctuary is rich in the species of different mammals like Goral, Serow, Langur, Common, Himalyan yellow throated Marten, Barking Deer, Squirrel(Common Giant Flying), Jackal, Leopard.

Blackbird (Common Name), Turdus merula (Scientific Name) are birds which are found in this sanctuary. Visitors can found Black bear also which can be encountered often in the area.

The curious floating island in a small water body amidst an enchating meadow at khajjiar has become legendary scenery. Dense Deodar and Fir forests are places of solitude very close to Dalhousie town. To experience the bliss of solitude, stay at the Kalatop Forest Rest House.
Himachal Sanctuary

Government will spent 2,000 crore in State(HP)

Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister said that the State Government had decided to continue with the tradition of holding Winter Session of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha at Dharamsala beginning from the proposed session scheduled to be held from December 26 to 29, 2005 and had been a well considered plan of his Government.
He revealed that about Rs. 2,000 crore were likely to spent over construction of bridges and roads in the State during coming two years and strengthen the road infrastructure in the State.
He said that all out efforts would be made with the people participation to fight out the divisive forces to uphold the emotional integration of the State.

CM launch 15th edition of Amar Ujala at Dharanshala

Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh pressed a key of computer to launch the 15th separate edition of Hindi daily Amar Ujala in the country from Himachal Pradesh at Dharamsala today where he also inaugurated the editorial office of the paper.

Chief Minister said that it was a matter of great pleasure and satisfaction that more Himachal Pradesh editions of all the prominent dailies were being published from within the State to provide readers extensive courage of the news of the state. He congratulated the daily management for launching Himachal edition.

BJP complains of violate elections code of conduct

The issue of holding a session of the state Assembly at Dharamshala has been embroiled in controversy as the BJP termed it as violation of the model code of conduct and made a formal complaint before the state Election Commission.
Accusing the Chief Minister and his ministerial colleagues of violating the code of conduct in view of the ensuing panchayat elections, the BJP made a formal complaint before the commission. It sought action against these acts of violation to ensure free and fair elections.
They said the Chief Minister on World Disabled Day again violated the code of conduct by stating that 3 per cent vacancies reserved for the disabled would be filled at the earliest.

Buddhist monks had a Lama dance

Every year Khampagar monastery in Himachal Pradesh transforms into a vista of cultural extravaganza. Its courtyard reverberates with the clang of cymbals and the music of trumpets. For, this is the time when dressed in traditional attires, Buddhist monks(Lamas) of the monastery participate in its special dance form--Lama dance.

The Lama dance, is a special Buddhist dance performed by monks on ceremonial days. But every year for two weeks it is performed in Khampagar monastery, situated 40 kilometres from Dharamshala. The ancient traditional practice of Lama dance is a part of the Mahakala Puja held recently by the monks of the Drukpa Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism.

Winter session of Vidhan Sabha, first time in Dharamshala

The issue of discrimination against Kangra raised by some prominent Congressmen and also by a divided BJP might have helped them politically a little but the people of Kangra find themselves lucky enough to witness the first ever session of State Assembly in their district. For the first time the State Government has agreed to hold a winter session of Vidhan Sabha in Dharamshala, the district headquarters of the newly merged district of Kangra.

The State Government after deciding it under a tremendous pressure is now taking a credit by calling it a step towards the "decentralisation of power". In the last week of December, the entire government machinery would be in Dharamshala along with all the Ministers, Secretaries and various Heads of Departments.

Two youths get 10yrs imprisonment for throwing acid

The two youths accused in the sensational acid throwing case in Shimla last year, were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment by the District and Sessions Judge.

The first of its kind, the acid case involved a college going girl, who received severe burns mainly on her face when her own cousin targeted her. The two youths, Vijay Kumar and his friend Daljeet, were arrested by the police from their home in Ludhiana within five days after the incident.

Himachal HC restrained BSNL to change anything in heritage building

On Wednesday, The HP High Court restrained Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited to make any changes in the heritage building, Central Telegraph Office, situated in the heritage zone — the Mall Road, Shimla.

Mr Raj Chauhan alleged that the BSNL in an illegal manner had changed the basic structure of the heritage building without complying with the provisions of the HP Town and Country Planning Act.

The petitioner further alleged that the building was not constructed for the purpose of providing residences to officers of the BSNL but was constructed for providing basic amenities to the public at large.