II

We have to look beyond the clichés that describe Himachal Pradesh as the ‘Abode of Gods’ or ‘ beautiful Himalayas’. We can certainly discover some forgotten village or temple, some interesting archaeological site or an exquisite craft.

Sincere efforts are required to preserve and portray the diverse culture and charisma of Himachal. But while the authorities talk tall, they are willfully allowing this heritage to slip into oblivion, instead of saving it.

Tourism (apart from apples) is the state’s major revenue spinner. Tourists throng various hill stations in lakhs. Ironically, the authorities do not showcase its famed age-old fairs like ‘Patharon ka mela’ or ‘Thoda ka khel’ while Kufri is always over hyped.

ROSHNI JOHAR, Shimla

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Beyond stars

Khushwant Singh’s article “The power of stars” (Saturday Extra, Dec 20) reminded me of the ultimate truth that the course of our life is predestined. People seek refuge in predictions, prophesies and prognostication to take solace when they feel insecure, infirm, anxious, and disconcerted. And the palmists, soothsayers, psychologists, magicians and astrologers exploit this weakness of the gullible, naive, fearful, apprehensive and superstitious people to make money.

These people can actually predict nothing about themselves. A horoscope maker in Jammu who had predicted the future of many girls, was unable to foresee what lay in store for his own daughter who was divorced a months of her marriage.

William Shakespeare has rightly said in “King Lear”: “This is the excellent foppery of the world, that when we are sick in fortune, often the surfeits of our own behaviour, we make guilty of our disasters, the sun, the moon, and stars...” heavenly bodies have nothing to do with our lives.