1000-year-old burial sites
Excavations in Spiti valley
By Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — Megalithic burial sites and remains of pottery have been found for the first time in Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh. Thought to be over 1000 years old, these are expected to throw fresh light on the inhabitation and culture which existed in this sparsely populated and inhospitable region.

The sites and remains were discovered by a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) while surveying and documenting archaeological monuments in Spiti district. This is the first major survey of this district since 1908, when ancient monuments in the region were documented by a French missionary, A.H. Franke. Several other artefacts, including manuscripts, rock carvings and paintings have also been unearthed from different parts of the district.

Excavation of these sites and surrounding areas is now proposed to learn about the inhabitation, culture and lifestyle which prevailed in that area over 1,000 years ago. ''We have just uncovered evidence that another culture also prevailed here. Excavation and subsequent study of artefacts unearthed will provide more information,'' an ASI official said.

Megalithic burial sites are circular, with a single towering rock placed in the centre and small stones forming the circumference. While such burial sites are found in large numbers in South India, these were more recently discovered in the Garhwal region.

Remains of pottery was also unearthed from Pomarang where a huge mound measuring about a kilometre in diameter was discovered. Remains are those of the ''redware'' type and are generally crude in texture with a bit of paintwork for decoration.

The Superintending Archaeologist, Mr C. Dorje, under whose jurisdiction the area falls, said the survey team visited virtually all villages in the district and is now compiling a detailed report on its findings, complete with pictures, blueprints and maps. The survey, completed last month, was carried out over four months and covered about 30 villages, including Tibba, which at an altitude of 14,000 feet is the world's highest inhabited village.

A large number of miniature stupas known as chorten in local dialect, were also documented during the survey. Such stupas are present in every village in varying numbers. Some are made of metal and are highly decorated. In addition to large rock paintings and carvings generally dipicting hunting scenes, wall paintings made on cloth, called thankas, have also been found.

Ancient Buddhist manuscripts called kangur have also been discovered. Written in Bhodi, a Buddhist dialect, these contain prayers and religious literature and are expected to throw additional light on local religious beliefs.

With a host of old temples, monasteries, rock sculptures, rock carvings, stupas and forts dotting the mostly barren landscape, Spiti district is rich in cultural heritage. Almost every village in the district has its own monastery. The most significant monasteries in Spiti are at Lhaling, Kye, Pin, Nako, and Tabo, which are associated with Buddhism and dates back to the 10th century.

These monasteries, which were also educational centres, have a rich collection of antiques made of clay and metal, as well as wall painting. These throw a great deal of light on the lifestyle, culture and religious beliefs prevailing in that period. The antiques include figures of deities, progenitors and weapons, besides ornaments and objects of daily use.

Another major archaeological monument is the fort at Tankhar, built in the 16th century by local chieftans to fight against invasions. Both, Tankar Fort as well Kye monastery have a rich collection of weapons. The presence of weapons at Kye imply that the monks residing at that monastery had taken up arms to resist attacks.

Age-old activities, including offering of prayers by the Lama in the traditional manner, holding annual melas and celebrating the anniversary of religious leaders are still continuing. These monasteries are generally self sustained as far as food supply is concerned.

While the fort and the monasteries at Nako and Lhalingre are in urgent need of restoration and conservation, the Tabo monastery is a protected monument and is, therefore, in a relatively good condition.

New aviation policy soon
Greater role for private sector
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — The Union Civil Aviation Ministry will soon come out with a new aviation policy with a greater role for the private sector in domestic air services and infrastructure building.

Talking to mediapersons at the Chandigarh Press Club this afternoon, the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Sharad Yadav, said Kerala had set an example where non-resident Indians (NRIs) had built an international airport which was ready to be commissioned.

"The Aviation Ministry shall welcome such an initiative in the North, especially Punjab. We can even provide land, lease it to the private company, settle money matters and other modalities."

"As far as the Rajasansi airport is concerned, it is top on our priority list. We want work on its expansion and upgradation completed at the earliest. The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has already met me in this regard. We have assured him that it will be soon commissioned as an international airport. As of now, there is no other proposal for any other international airport in Punjab," Mr Yadav said, referring to the decision of the Punjab Government taken some years ago to build an international airport near Jalandhar close to Kapurthala for which land acquisition process was also initiated.

Mr Yadav said air services would be rescheduled soon. "I would keep in mind that Chandigarh must be airlinked to Mumbai by a regular flight. Our problem has been that we do not have smaller aircraft and the fleet of Indian Airlines is old and needs replacement."

Mr Yadav said he was aware of the problem of fare wars in the aviation

industry, both in domestic and international services. "The government is seized of this important issue and the necessary steps are being taken in this direction," he said.

Talking about Air-India, Mr Yadav said the government would not let go of its control. "We can allow private sector participation to a limit and even hand over the management part to restructure our national carrier which is top-heavy and burdened with wasteful expenditure. Once it is back on the rails, the government may bring it back under its complete control.

The government plans to construct two more international airports in the North. One of these will be at Gaya, which is an important tourist hub keeping in view the location of Buddhist shrines in and around Gaya.

"The other international airport could be around one of the archaeological centres, like Khajuraho or the Kana National Park. Though we have yet to decide on the location, it has to be related to tourism, and archaeological centres to give impetus to inflow of foreign tourists," the minister explained.

Mr Yadav said one-third of the foreign exchange was being earned by export of handicrafts while another one-third came from tourism.

Coming to politics, Mr Yadav said as and when elections were held to the Bihar Assembly, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would contest as one. At present, he said the JD(U) and the BJP both enjoyed almost equal strength. He said the Janata Dal (United) had never projected any individual as it believed in democratic norms.

Asked as to how the JD (U) had become a partner in a government led by the party it had been bitterly critical of, he said when the national minimum programme was chalked out, the issues on which the JD (U) differed from the BJP were eliminated.

Further, the people of the country had given a verdict in favour of a coalition government at the Centre, he argued.

Mr Yadav evaded a direct reply on his views on the Women's Reservation Bill. "I have never opposed this Bill", he said, maintaining that since he was part of the Union Government as a Cabinet Minister, he had a forum to express his opinion there. "I have nothing more to say on the subject," he added.