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Journalism of Courage
Written by RK Saboo
Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh is a reservoir at the foothills of the Himalayas. The lake was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe. In 1974, the Choe was diverted and made to bypass the lake completely. Sukhna is an inseparable part of Chandigarh, The City Beautiful. The lake was aesthetically created by Le Corbusier and the Chief Engineer L. Verma in Chandigarh in 1958. It was a manmade lake. It also happens that Pierre Jeanneret’s ashes were immersed in the lake in 1970.
Usha and I came to Chandigarh in 1961 from Kolkata and found a plot in Sector 5, very close to Sukhna Lake. My father, ‘Babuji’ to me, Shri Tara Chand ji, came to Chandigarh and religiously walked at Sukhna Lake.
For locals as well as the frequent travellers, Sukhna is a place to hang around to admire the beautiful views of the shimmering water and the misty mountains in the backdrop.
Sukhna is a winter sojourn for thousands of migratory birds like the Siberian duck, storks and cranes. Every year, the birds travel and land in Chandigarh by mid-November from places like Siberia, Russia, Mongolia, Europe, Japan and all of Central Asia. Their stay lasts till March or April.
There is an old ‘peepal’ tree on the shore of the lake, which is the oldest of the trees and cynosure of all eyes. Lore has it that it was saved by Nek Chand, the maker of Rock Garden. When he learnt that it was about to be chopped during the making of the lake embankment, he tied a red dupatta around it and told the local contractor that the then Governor’s wife prayed at the peepul tree. Needless to say, it was not touched. Today it’s been designated a heritage tree of the city.
During the pandemic restrictions, I missed the all-pervading serenity and solitude of the spectacular Sukhna Lake.
After the pandemic, I resumed my morning walk at the lake with my son Yasho and Anuradha.
Owing to its surreal views, the Lake serves as a muse for the photographers who spend hours at length trying to capture its beauty.
Many films have also been shot here, the latest being “Jersey”. Health freaks at the lake have a wonderful time doing workouts or yogic ‘asanas’ and aerobic exercises. The jogging tracks and bodyweight exercise equipment inspire people to do more.
Post pandemic many events were organised at Sukhna, the most impressive being the Air Show in October 2022. The lake also has the largest rowing and boating channel in all Asia, which makes it a perfect spot for water sports such as rowing and skiing. It hosts annual rowing competitions for Panjab university and other federations.
Also boating, sculling, sailing and kayaking can be enjoyed throughout the year. The distinct demarcation of an Eco-Tourism area and a Wilderness zone surrounding the lake ensures the preservation of forests, wildlife, and the environment, providing a hospitable habitat for animals.
If you are looking for some solitude, take the steps from the regulator end of the lake to the garden of silence with a majestic statue of Lord Buddha. There are also remarkable sculptures installed by local artists in collaboration with Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi. At 89, I enjoy all this as I dedicate 45 minutes to my daily walk to fortify my health and preserve my longevity genes — my father lived to the age of 92. And the Sukhna has remained my loyal companion in this journey.
Long live the Sukhna!
(The writer, an industrialist and philanthropist, was former world president of Rotary International)
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