Rushdie plans to visit Solan villa

SOLAN, March 24: India-born controversial British author Salman Rushdie and members of his family plan to visit Solan within three months. He would stay at his ancestral house Anees Villa, located on the Forest Road area of the town for a short while.

Disclosing this to The Indian Express here today, Vijay S T Shankardass, attorney of Salman Rushdie, said that Annes Villa would be renovated and furnished within two months for the visit. Rushdie was willing to convert the villa into a “retreat” for writers and artists, he said and added that facilities, including provision of a kitchen, would be provided to the writers and artists who would like to come to Solan and stay in the bungalow.

Shankardass, who visited the town today to complete certain formalities, said that the villa which was without water, power and telephone connection, would have these facilities soon. The drinking water connection, which had been snapped by the municipal council after the security funds were withdrawn by theadditional district magistrate, had been restored. Power would be provided by next Monday. All formalities in this had been completed, he added.

Shankardass has also deposited the security amount with the local telecom department for installation of telephone connection in his own name.