Himachal confidential

Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi’s remark,“Indians are not as large-hearted as Pakistanis” has found an answer in Shimla. A 20-member delegation of students and staff of Pakistan’s Lawrence College,Ghora Gali,led by its principal Air Commodore (retd) Farooq H Kayani,was overwhelmed by the hospitality,simplicity and warmth of people here,including Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal,after they spent an eventful day in the town. “We will tell Pakistanis how large-hearted people are in India,” a student remarked.

Helicopter politics

In the winter months,after Lahaul-Spiti gets covered with snow,helicopter flights operated by the government remain the only mode of communication for tribals. The helicopter issue invariably becomes ‘political’. It’s more serious this time as the state’s official helicopter is grounded. Rumours abound that the official helicopter is flying Anurag Thakur,BJP MP and president of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association. The other day,Cabinet Minister Jairam Thakur flew to Keylong in an IAF chopper with his two daughters for presiding over a district-level ‘Himachal Day’ function. The Opposition’s knives are out for him now.

Passion rules

It is well known that Himachal’s Additional DGP Sumesh Goel loves birds. He formed an NGO,wrote blogs and put up an exciting exhibition on “World Sparrow Day” at Shimla’s Gaiety Theatre inviting Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal. The motivation has grown. Last week,Rajender Rajan,a Joint Director in the Public Relations (PR) department and a literary figure,also made his passion public by putting up an amazing exhibition of rare photographs on subjects such as life,faith,passions,natural beauty of mountain valleys,fairs & festivals and monuments. Well done,keep it up,Dhumal exhorted Rajan.