Perched at an altitude of 2,276 meters, Shimla boasts breath-taking views of dense pine and deodar forests, and verdant valleys
Mrinal Chatterjee
Shimla Beckoned
It was on invitation by Vandana Bagra, founder Keekli Trust that I went to Shimla. Keekli Trust works mostly for children. It has organised a story competition for children and children’s stories by adult writers. I was one of the judges for the former. The selected stories were compiled into two separate books and were released on 21 December at the historic Gaiety Theatre of Shimla. Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan, well known Children’s writer was the chief guest, who spoke on the importance of words and idioms.
It was for the first time I visited Shimla and I had three days to explore the city-too less to know the city.
Known as the ‘Queen of Hills,’ Shimla is renowned for its natural beauty, colonial charm, and cool climate. Perched at an altitude of 2,276 meters, Shimla boasts breath-taking views of dense pine and deodar forests, and verdant valleys. The city’s colonial heritage is evident in its architecture, with landmarks like the Viceregal Lodge, Christ Church, Gaiety Theatre and many other buildings offering glimpses of its British-era past.
The bustling Mall Road serves as the heart of Shimla, lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants. Another major attraction is the Ridge, an open space offering panoramic views of the surrounding hills. This is the heart and soul of Shimla.
Shimla also serves as a gateway to nearby attractions like Kufri, Chail, and Mashobra, which are perfect for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. In winter, the city usually transforms into a snowy wonderland.
I was looking forward to the snow fall. As luck would have it, Shimla had snowfall this year a few hours after I left.
Christ Church
As I walked up to the ridge through Mall Road I saw an imposing Church, decked up for Christmas with bright tiny lights. Named Christ Church, it is the second oldest church in North India, after St John’s Church in Meerut. The neo-gothic structure, characterised by its pointed arches, ribbed vaults and flying buttresses was designed by Colonel J.T.Boileau, a British Engineer.
It was consecrated on 10 January 1857 by Bishop Thomas Daltrey, Bishop of Madras (now Chennai). The estimated cost of construction at that time was 40,000 to 50,000 Rupees. The clock adorning Christ Church was donated by Colonel Dumbleton in 1860. The porch was added in 1873.
Scandal Point
Every city has its scandals. Shimla has a place known as Scandal point – it is where the Mall road joins Ridge road on the west side.
There are many stories regarding how it came to be known as Scandal Point. The most common story told about the Scandal Point was that of the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh, eloping with the British Viceroy’s daughter in 1892. He was banned by the British from entering Shimla. So, he constructed a summer capital for himself at a small village called Chail. And the place of intersection of the Ridge and the Mall, where he eloped with her, came to be called Scandal Point.
However, according to Manju Jaidka, a professor at Panjab University’s Department of English, who has written a book titled ‘Scandal Point’, it may not be true. While going through the archives at the Patiala palace and other places, she came across some facts which suggested otherwise.
“How could he (Bhupinder Singh) have eloped with a British lady and constructed a palace at Chail after being banished when he was just one year old at that time? Probably because of his colourful nature and many wives, he is mistaken by the people.”
The author believes that the Maharaja in question could be Bhupinder’s father, Rajindra Singh.
“It is on record that Maharaja Rajindra Singh had an English wife. According to the facts that I have gone through, she also had a son. But no one ever knew where the mother and son disappeared.”
Nobody knows the truth behind the Scandal Point. The mystery continues.
Mohammad Rafi @100
If Mohammed Rafi was alive, he would have celebrated his 100th birthday on December 24. Rafi (1924-1980) is widely considered one of the greatest singers in Indian cinema. Rafi’s voice was known for its versatility, range, and emotional depth. He sang over 7,000 songs in various languages, including Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi (in which he sang his first playback song) in his four decades of long professional career.
Rafi’s collaborations with composers like Shankar-Jaikishan, S.D. Burman, and Laxmikant-Pyarelal are iconic, he worked with many other music directors of his time.
He won six Filmfare Awards and one National award as the best Male Playback Singer.
Some of Rafi’s most famous songs include ‘Kya Hua Tera Wada,’ ‘Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho,’ and ‘Baharon Phool Barsao.’
Rafi’s legacy continues to inspire generations of singers and music lovers.
2025
Every New Year comes with a set of possibilities, opportunities and challenges. I’ll write about the challenges next week, let me focus on the opportunities in the first week of this year.
The year 2025 is poised to be a pivotal point in history, marked by rapid advancements in technology and opportunities for transformation. As the mid-point of the 2020s, it carries the promise of progress in areas like artificial intelligence, green energy, healthcare, and space exploration.
Technology is expected to be at the forefront in 2025, with AI and automation reshaping industries and daily life. From self-driving cars to personalized medicine, the integration of technology could enhance convenience and efficiency. The development of quantum computing might unlock new possibilities in problem-solving and big data analysis.
Sustainability will remain a critical focus, as nations push toward achieving climate goals. Green energy solutions, such as solar, wind, and hydrogen power, are anticipated to become more prevalent, helping reduce carbon footprints and mitigate climate change.
In healthcare, breakthroughs in biotechnology and genetic research may pave the way for innovative treatments for chronic diseases and rare conditions. Global health initiatives could focus on strengthening pandemic preparedness and addressing health inequities.
Space exploration is likely to reach new heights, with missions to Mars and the Moon driving human curiosity and innovation.
Writing at the back of truck
‘Pyar Jukta Nehi – Pandit Rukta Nehin’.
Seen written at the back of the truck en-route Shimla from Kalka.
(The author is Regional Director Indian Institute of Mass Communication, IIMC Dhenkanal. Views expressed are personal.)
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