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REGIONAL
POTPOURRI |
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These are logs to pine for

COTTAGE INDUSTRY: Pinewood log technology has been imported all the way from Finland to set up prefabricated cottages at Naldehra, near Shimla.
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Recent years have seen quite a lot of hue and cry against the tall brick and cement structures that have been coming up in the Shimla hills. These buildings are out of sync with the environment but builders are carrying on nevertheless. However, in the midst of all this, an enterprising entrepreneur, Yatish Sood, has shown the way by importing pinewood log technology all the way from Finland and using it to build delightful log homes. Yatish, who has built a log-house resort at Naldehra, 22 km from Shimla, says: “When I saw these log homes in Scandinavian countries, I was delighted. These are just the right material to suit our environment. I felt that I should take them back home to the hills of Shimla.” And so he did, by importing the prefabricated cottages with furnishing from Finland and building a resort with them on a 1-acre stretch of land he had at Naldehra. Some 16 cottages are ready and he plans to add a few more. The cottages have to them a fairytale look and one feels as if one has entered the realm of a Goldilocks or a Red Riding Hood. Yatish is quick to add, “There is more to log homes than the aesthetics. They are cozy in winter and cool in summer. Besides, these are eco-friendly and made from natural materials.” The log homes have appealed so much to the landed paharis that people want to have them for keeps. Maj-Gen Manjit Singh Ahluwalia has already built his country retreat using this technology near Naldehra and others too are following suit. These small yet livable cottages seem to be putting the ugly concrete structures to shame. Empowering through knowledge

Hari Krishan Jain
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This Ludhiana-based octogenarian has chosen to give back to society in a different way. Hari Krishan Jain does not believe in just doling out money to the needy, though monetary help from him for the education of poor children and medical treatment of those who cannot afford it is always forthcoming. He wants to empower the underprivileged in a different way. So, he publishes books and pamphlets with useful information, such as biographies of Indian statesmen, freedom fighters, points to ponder, etc. The objective, he says, is to empower people with knowledge. “If people have pious thoughts and they think about the good of society, we can help transform the system,” says Jain. Almost immobilised by old age, he takes great pains to collect books on spirituality, wisdom, religion, etc and goes through every page carefully. Then, at his own cost he gets nuggets of knowledge reproduced in a concise and comprehensible form for distribution free of cost among students, opinion makers and all those wanting to make their lives better. Jain’s motto is to work for the blind, disabled, the deaf and dumb and mentally challenged, besides heart and cancer patients. A philanthropist, he has been an active social worker since 1954 and is a well-known name in Ludhiana city. He has been conferred with the Desh Sewak Rattan Award for dedication to the uplift of the downtrodden and needy. He has published and distributed nearly 200 pamphlets, books and leaflets on social and cultural issues, dealing with a wide variety of subjects, ranging from facts about dengue fever, drugs that have been globally banned to the importance of making a will
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‘King’ of the hills

Raaja Bhasin
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We’ve heard of the ‘queen of the hills’, but who is this ‘king’ of the hills? Raaja Bhasin, of course, who has taken on the role of chronicler of the Shimla hills. A hill lad through and through, he went back to his hometown after completing his Master’s in history from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Fond of writing, he chose to first look back into the history of the hills that nurtured him. His first book, Simla: Summer Capital of British India, published by Penguin, was received very well and he is now working on the revised second edition. Besides, he also wrote a book for the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department called the Himalayan Experience and numerous articles and features in various newspapers and journals.Meeting him is an interesting experience, for he exudes a culture and old-world charm that is fast vanishing in the hurry-scurry of the times. Raaja has a number of projects at hand and one can wait for some more interesting books by him. Says Raaja, “I am working on a book on the Churches and Cemeteries of Himachal Pradesh for the Tourism Department. Since I am a Cottonian, I have also been asked to write a book on the history of the Bishop Cotton School that was founded way back in 1859.” While he keeps a home in Delhi, he stays most of the year in Shimla. His heritage walks are famous and he takes people who wish to have a real hill experience through cedar forests and also around town, including a lunch in a Shimla home and close encounters with the town’s artists and astrologers. So, when in Shimla next, look out for this Raaja of the hills.
Contributed by Nirupama Dutt and Naveen S. Garewal
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