Shimlahangout : Messages : 2099-2130 of 2645

AN INDIAN entrepreneur has given a new twist to the concept of low-cost airlines. The passengers boarding his Airbus 300 in Delhi do not expect to go anywhere because it never takes off.

All they want is the chance to know what it is like to sit on a plane, listen to announcements and be waited on by stewardesses bustling up and down the aisle.

In a country where 99% of the population have never experienced air travel, the “virtual journeys” of Bahadur Chand Gupta, a retired Indian Airlines engineer, have proved a roaring success.

As on an ordinary aircraft, customers buckle themselves in and watch a safety demonstration. But when they look out of the windows, the landscape never changes. Even if “Captain” Gupta wanted to get off the ground, the plane would not go far: it only has one wing and a large part of the tail is missing.

Passengers are looked after by a crew of six, including Gupta’s wife, who goes up and down the aisle with her drinks trolley, serving meals in airline trays.

Read Full Story

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#2129

From: "Varun Rattan Singh" <varun.ratan@...>
Date:: Wed Sep 26, 2007 12:22 pm
Subject:: Shimla meeting, 21 October 2007

maverickvarun

Offline

Dear All,

It is good to see the response received for our call for meeting in
Shimla. Based on the responses received, 21st October come out to be
the best possible time for the meeting. Since this is going to be a
contributory get-together I am trying to locate a place which is
reasonable enough to seat 10 - 15 people. If any of you have any
suggestions please let me know ?

I hope this gives us enough time to schedule our appointments in such
a way that most of us make it to the venue.

Broadly the idea is to have a Get - to - Know kind of event where
members of the group probably will meet each other face to face for
the first time. The agenda of the meeting is not set, so pour in your
ideas. The only thing which is final is that we will have contributory
lunch together :)

If you have not yet confirmed your participation, kindly do so by
sending a mail to me with your mobile number.

with warm regards

Varun Rattan Singh
+91 98160 76772

The Voice of Himachal
http://www.himvani.com
Himachal's First Citizen Journalism Initiative

To know me better follow this trail http://www.himvani.com/maverick

#2128

From: NITYIN <bnityin@...>
Date:: Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:58 pm
Subject:: Book Review - The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

bnityin

Offline

I believe this is the first English novel written by and about Afghans and Afghanistan. For the first novel this is a pretty well written story. And besides the story it gives a good peep into the Afghanistan as it was and how it is today. It tells you about the psychology of Afghans, their small rituals, their values and the games they play. It is also a very sad story; you may not feel very happy at the end of the book.

There are primarily three layers in the story. First layer deals with the socio-political scenario in Afghan and the journey of a typical Afghani from 1960s to next century, and how their world has changed after the Russian invasion and the wars. How the most affluent people turned refugees and had to compromise their honor which is something that an Afghan cares for more than his own life.

The Second layer is the story of a Afghani, who was born in the times of monarchy in Kabul, lives his childhood there and then during Russian invasions has to run with his father to Pakistan and then eventually to America. He comes back to Afghanistan after 20 years to take care of his guilt and a part of family that he never knew about, and encounters a different place, same people but a different life or rather no life. This is a story with all the twists and turns with some expected and some unexpected.

The third layer of story deals with human psychology, the truths that one has to face and live with, the layers that you keep discovering on the people you think you know, the guilt of carrying a secret that you have never told anyone, the sudden explanation of unexplained behaviors when certain secrets are unveiled. It also talks about the class divides that exist in Afghan society as well, though I am not sure if I can call that a layer, although the main story revolves around that divide.

Khaled is a good story teller as he starts the story in the middle and then takes you through the past and then to the time ahead of middle point, almost like a figure of eight. Even the expected turns, he keeps you guessing. The writing style can be little tighter, at places he tends to drag it a bit. Can be a good weekend read…

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#2127

From: "Varun Rattan Singh" <varun.ratan@...>
Date:: Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:49 am
Subject:: Volunteer - Mountain Terrain Biking - 2007

maverickvarun

Offline

Hi,

Mountain Biking 2007 is starting from October 5th in Shimla. This
event has become a annual phenomenon and it continues to grow. This
year the cycle riders will have to go through tough mountain
conditions for 9 days covering more than 700 KMs. The race ends on
13th October at Manali. Prize distribution is to be held on 14th
October after giving a days breather to the participants who manage to
complete the race.

The event was started by a group of enthusiasts from Association for
Himalayan Tourism Adventure (AHAT). The first race was held in 2005.
Last year 58 riders from all across the world participated in the
event. Only 33 were able to finish the race.

The event at this stage and magnitude cannot be managed without
support of volunteers. Volunteers help in keeping the costs low,
specially when the resources are limited. This year AHAT has come up
with a volunteer programme so as to choose the right candidates
amongst the many who apply.

Selected volunteers will be provided with

â€¢ Accommodation
â€¢ Breakfast and dinner
â€¢ Race Finisher's Dinner
â€¢ Crew T-shirt
â€¢ Crew Cap
â€¢ Transport between stages
â€¢ Reserved start place for following year's race

If this is not enough than you also get to see beautiful Himachal ,
starting from Shimla and ending at Manali. The route will take you
through interiors of the picturesque state.

There are limited number of volunteer places available so those of you
who are interested in volunteering for the race please send a mail to
mbhimachal@... or log onto
http://www.mtbhimachal.com/volunteer_programme.htm . On selection you
will be intimated by AHAT team.

with warm regards

Varun Rattan Singh
+91 98160 76772

I am in love with Himachal Pradesh. To know more about the state log
onto http://www.himvani.com

To know me better follow this trail http://www.himvani.com/maverick

#2126

From: "Varun Rattan Singh" <varun.ratan@...>
Date:: Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:01 am
Subject:: HimVani goes to HP Unversity

maverickvarun

Offline

Hi,

Those amongst you, who have been members for more than 4 years will
know that we had planned to reach out to college and University
students in Himachal. The idea was to tell them about new career
opportunities which exist in the market. This was planned more than 3
years back when some of us met in Delhi. However the plan could not
fructify and it died its own death.

Last month, Surender and me revived the plan and we went to the
University to meet some students. Thanks to Prof Vikas Dogra we have
been able to interact with more than 25 students so far in 3 different
sessions. Surender has been talking to them about New Media and I took
New Economy as topic of discussion and career growth.

If any of you would like to interact with the students and if you feel
you can devote time to mentor some of them, please let me know.
Students here certainly need experienced hands to guide them as the
exposure is not very good.

with warm regards

Varun Rattan Singh
+91 98160 76772

I am in love with Himachal Pradesh. To know more about the state log
onto http://www.himvani.com

To know me better follow this trail http://www.himvani.com/maverick

#2125

From: "Varun Rattan Singh" <varun.ratan@...>
Date:: Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:47 am
Subject:: Lets meet in Shimla in Sept/October

maverickvarun

Offline

Dear All,

Its been a long time since. we got together. I am proposing a meetup
sometime in September end or October in Shimla. There are many members
from in and around Shimla and we can gettogether somewhere on the Mall
road. I am sure, meeting face to face will only improve our
relationship and the belief in what we are trying to do.

with warm regards

Varun Rattan Singh
+91 98160 76772

I am in love with Himachal Pradesh. To know more about the state log
onto http://www.himvani.com

To know me better follow this trail http://www.himvani.com/maverick

#2124

From: "Varun Rattan Singh" <varun.ratan@...>
Date:: Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:19 pm
Subject:: Brocolli revolution in Himachal; brothers from Mahunag show way

maverickvarun

Offline

Often we hear people saying in Himachal: "Nothing can be done here".
These words have been abused to an extent that the very idea has
become firmly engraved in minds of young people in Himachal. The basic
idea of Young Guns column at HimVani, here is to break this thought
process. So far, the kind of youngsters the column has covered, come
from a city background with families to support them. The story, which
follows is, of a novel and noble idea pursued from fancy to reality by
two brothers belonging to a remote village in Himachal Pradesh.

http://www.himvani.com/news/2007/09/10/brocolli-revolution-in-himachal-brothers-\
from-mahunag-show-way/1024/agrihortiflori-culture/varun/

#2123

From: maverickvarun <varun.ratan@...>
Date:: Sun Sep 9, 2007 11:26 am
Subject:: Do we like the same books?

maverickvarun

Offline

I just joined Shelfari to connect with other book lovers. Come see the books I love and see if we have any in common. Then pick my next book so I can keep on reading.

Click below to join my group of friends on Shelfari!

http://www.shelfari.com/

maverickvarun

Shelfari is a free site that lets you share book ratings and reviews with friends and meet people who have similar tastes in books. It also lets you build an online bookshelf, join book clubs, and get good book recommendations from friends. You should check it out.

You have received this email because maverickvarun (varun_singh@...) directly invited you to join his/her community on Shelfari.

It is against Shelfari's policies to invite people who you don't know directly. Follow this link to prevent future invitations to this address. If you believe you do not know this person, you may view his/her Shelfari page or report him/her in our feedback section.

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#2122

From: "Varun Rattan Singh" <varun.ratan@...>
Date:: Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:47 pm
Subject:: Murder in Shimlas streets

maverickvarun

Offline

Hi

Akhil Puri has written a riveting article about the death of child day
before yesterday in Shimla. It came as a shock to see an ambulance not
being given the way through. Don't know who is to blame but it could
have been one of us.

To read the article

http://www.himvani.com/news/2007/08/31/murder-on-shimlas-streets/1010/opinion/va\
run/

regards

Varun Rattan Singh
+91 98160 76772

I am in love with Himachal Pradesh. To know more about the state log
onto http://www.himvani.com

To know me better follow this trail http://www.himvani.com/maverick

#2121

From: "Varun Rattan Singh" <varun.ratan@...>
Date:: Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:52 am
Subject:: Accomodation in Shimla

maverickvarun

Offline

Hi

I recently moved to Shimla as a consultant to Department of
Information Technology on rural IT project. Now I am looking for a
minimum 2 room accomodation. My office is in SDA Complex Kasumpti so I
will prefer staying in New Shimla or Kasumpti.

If any of you know a place which is available on rent please let me know.
with regards

Varun Rattan Singh
+91 98160 76772

I am in love with Himachal Pradesh. To know more about the state log
onto http://www.himvani.com

To know me better follow this trail http://www.himvani.com/maverick

#2120

From: "Varun Rattan Singh" <varun.ratan@...>
Date:: Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:48 am
Subject:: Moved to Shimla

maverickvarun

Offline

Hi,

I recently moved to Shimla. Kindly update my contact number at your
end. My new number is +91 98160 76772 .

Also I request you to mail/sms me your number as I accidentaly deleted
my mobile address book. Hope to hear from you soon. Now that I am in
Himachal, do plan a visit to this part of the country in our lifetime
:)

cheers

Varun Rattan Singh
+91 98160 76772

I am in love with Himachal Pradesh. To know more about the state log
onto http://www.himvani.com

To know me better follow this trail http://www.himvani.com/maverick

#2119

From: NITYIN <bnityin@...>
Date:: Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:48 am
Subject:: Checklist for driving on Indian roads

bnityin

Offline

1. Priority is based on vehicle size:

- Buses have priority over everything
- SUV's have priority over cars
- Cars have priority over auto rickshaws
- God help anyone on a bike

2. The passenger capacity of a motorcycle is only limited by the size of your family

3. When pulling out onto a main road from a side road - look away from the oncoming traffic in case the other drivers mistakenly believe you will not pull out

4. The horn is NOT to be sounded on the following occasions:

- When the driver is not in the vehicle

5. Driving is a full contact sport - so remove any mirrors or other non value-adding attachments before they are removed for you

6. Beware of auto rickshaws in apparently stationary traffic - they can go sideways

7. Roundabouts must be negotiated at full speed without any regard for other road users. Never give the slightest hint that you may give way as this would confuse other drivers

8. Use of indicators is not recommended as it is seen as a sign of weakness

9. When waiting at traffic lights or level crossings - use both lanes and meet any oncoming traffic with determination

10. Slip roads onto major highways can be used in either direction

11. All lanes of multi-lane highways can be used for two way traffic

12. No entry signs only apply if there is an (awake) policeman present

13. Motorcycle helmets are illegal

14. Use of a mobile phone whilst driving is compulsory

15. Ambulances and other emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights and sounding two tone horns are to be ignored completely

16. Traffic Light Sequence:

Green - Go
Amber - Go
Red - Go

17. Brakes are for sissies

18. The other driver is always wrong

19. In the event of an accident:

- Stop your vehicle immediately
- Get out of your vehicle and exchange blows with the other driver

20. Always maintain a safe stopping distance from other vehicles of at least 3 millimeters

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#2116

From: NITYIN <bnityin@...>
Date:: Sun Aug 26, 2007 12:53 pm
Subject:: How the Apple came into India

bnityin

Offline

An interesting and informative reading

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#2115

From: NITYIN <bnityin@...>
Date:: Sat Aug 25, 2007 10:58 am
Subject:: The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

bnityin

Offline

The story is like a sketch of immigrant lives and the generations there of. I think in the recent past enough ink has been spent on writing about the dilemmas of NRIs and the ABCD generation. This would book also would fall in the same category, though it takes a slightly larger canvas covering the immigration, the emotions of two generations and how they change and converge with time. The protagonist family is Bengali, probably the culture author is most comfortable with and the land they moved to is America, again I guess the author belongs to that land apart from the fact that most immigrations from India happen to be in US, and hence from an aspirational value also it would appeal to the wannabe immigrants.

The story begins with tracing the reasons of a young Bengali man to move from his roots to a distant land that everyone thinks as land of opportunities. How this decision comes from what a co-passenger tell him, while he is traveling and has a near death experience. How he marries a girl from Kolkata, who accompanies him to US and leads the rest of her life with him, as his wife and his companion in the distant land. The story of the girl who marries a stranger and lands in a strange land, learns the ways of the land and at the same time tries to keep her culture alive in her house in small little ways, misses her family on all occasions, specially when her children are born and she has no one around from the family.

The story of children born with confused identity, born Americans, visiting India for vacations and not being able to understand why they have to go there, not being able to relate to the place and the people. The couple’s story of making a virtual family out of all the known Bengali immigrants in the vicinity, their lives revolving around these families and vacation visits to them when they move out. The story of children growing and trying to carve out an identity for themselves, at times trying to shun out of their Indian identities by trying to keep themselves away from it as much as possible, their affairs and breakups, marriage to another Bengali and divorce and back to life of loneliness. Demise of patriarch and the change in lives and thought processes of the rest of the family.

There is nothing unusual about the book, it is sketch of an immigrant family, and you would have seen the glimpses of the story everywhere in every such family specially in US. The narrative is good, sometime the details are too much like providing the detailed recipes of the dishes the protagonist makes. The lives of all characters seem pretty mundane and dull throughout the book, overall I had a very gloomy feeling reading through the book. It is on high on emotional quotient though, like the designer NRI movies we have. The whole angle of the name Gogol and the kid not liking the name has actually nothing to do with identity crisis, but this what a lot of kids go through, when they have either very unusual name and everyone wants to know what it means or how they were names, or when they have an exceptionally usual name and every third kid in the class seem to have the same name. This angle I guess has been used a lot in the publicity and reviews of the book. In my opinion this is also something that a lot of people go through and nothing is unique to the characters psyche.

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#2114

From: NITYIN <bnityin@...>
Date:: Sat Aug 25, 2007 10:49 am
Subject:: Mira and the Mahatma by Sudhir Kakar

bnityin

Offline

Though the title gives the impression of Mira’s story, story of a British girl who left everything at the age of 33 to be with Mahatma Gandhi and live life as per his ideology. That story sure runs through the book, but is nothing more than her longing and devotion for Gandhi just like her namesake had for Lord Krishna. But more than that the book is about the Mahatma Gandhi’s Ashram and the life thereof, his experiments, his character and the way he made people live life the way he chose it for them.

Story begins with an effort to etch Mira’s character in Britain, her longing for Beethoven, her reading the Gandhi’s biography and then after a few exchanged letters, her decision to leave everything and go and live in his Ashram. As she spends more time with him, she yearns more for him and she does get more favors from him than the rest of the inmates. The story has been narrated by Navin, who was the Hindi teacher for Mira during her stay in Ashram, who had left a rich background and his literary interests for the Ashram. It talks about her learning the ways of Ashram, learning Hindi, learning spinning and growing up to become Gandhi’s personal assistant, who took care of his personal needs during their travels together in various parts of the world. She kept longing for him, kept getting rejected and most of her life used / directed by Gandhi, till she falls for another man called Prithvi Singh.

He was the man who spoke one to one with Gandhi, did not hesitate in challenging him and telling him that he had failed in getting freedom for India. But at the same time while he was in Ashram, he followed all the rules and regulation of the Ashram. He knew the fact that women get attracted to him, but like a simpleton from Punjab had his own notion of the woman he wanted to marry. Irony was that he kept treating Mira as his sister, like the rest of the women at Ashram. Finally she left India and settled down in Europe, the book does not mention when did she go back.

According to the book, Ashram was Gandhi’s laboratory, where he did different types of experiments. He experimented by making people live with the bare minimum necessities taken care of, he made a lot of rich people give up all they had to come and co-exist with the less privileged. He made spinning the ‘Charkha’ as his logo or signature activity to give the message of self-reliance. He experimented various diet regimes on the Ashram residents, keenly observing the effect of each dietary component, going to the extent of examining the stool the next day.

Most of the people were made to eat the raw food with minimum of cooked food. Not that people enjoyed it, but they would do so for the devotion that they had for Gandhi. What is interesting is that his wife did not really participate in the experiments, and goes to the extent of saying ‘ One Mahatma in the family is enough’. Though the book does not says so, but I am not sure if Gandhi himself followed these strict diet regimes, as he used to get himself massaged with ‘Desi ghee’ every evening. Mira used to take care of his meals, in the Ashram and while he traveled, and she used to ensure that the food is not only hygienic and clean, but also according to the Gandhi’s taste. An interesting point is when the narrator goes back home after a long stint at Ashram and eats the normal food cooked by his mother, his realization of what all had he been missing in the life and how he cherished eating that food.

The book has been brilliantly written, though it seems dry at lot of places, but I guess that has to do with the subject and not the narrative. Story is well woven between the three main characters Gandhi, Mira and Navin the narrator. All other characters make a guest appearance off an on in the story, and one of them is Premchand with whom the narrator worked in Lucknow, and of course there is a backdrop of the freedom struggle going on at that point in time. You get some not so well known perspectives of that time.

I am not sure how much Gandhi succeeded in making a difference to the lives of under privileged or Harijans as he called them, but he definitely made a lot people who had everything, live like one of them…

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#2113

From: NITYIN <bnityin@...>
Date:: Sat Aug 25, 2007 10:28 am
Subject:: India after Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha

bnityin

Offline

This book is probably first of its kind. This is a history book with a beginning date of 15th Aug, 1947. It talks about Independent India’s history or rather the history of county as it exists today, which was born on Aug 15, 1947. It talks about the pain of being born and pain of separation, it talks about the strong foundations laid during infancy that gave it the character that became its identity, it talks about the turbulent adolescence when the ‘me first’ attitude prevailed and it talks about an approaching adulthood, when it is ready to take on the responsibilities that await it both from inside and the outside world.

The book comprehensively brings out a lot of facts that you have heard or known, but may not have known or comprehended as a single story. It also brings about a few back door stories which may not be in public domain or at least not popularly public. It takes a look at various eras that India as a country saw since independence, various influences, various decisions and people who either wrote or played a significant part in weaving the destiny and history of this country. History of first four decades has been described chronologically. What is particularly interesting is that author has tried to provide the views of all the parties involved in most of the cases that kind of leaves you to decide whichever you choose to ally with.

For the last two decades author has chosen few themes and wrote along those themes and this is the period most of us really know and probably have an opinion on and hence you may not find it as interesting. The most important chapters were the ones describing how Patel helped by Menon, managed to form the current India by convincing all the princes to join in and how he actually used different strategies to deal with each of them, a la Sam, Daam, Dand, Bhed.. It is also interesting to read about the states which resisted and why and how they finally agreed to merge, the states which could not decide which of the newly formed states they should join.

The chapter on languages is also interesting and how it is ultimately an entertainment industry which could bring in the acceptance of intended national language in a subtle way. The emergence of Indira Gandhi as a leader and an autocrat is well captured and described; her influence on the Indian politics that permanently changed the ways of politics in the country.

Throughout the book, there are two themes that flow across, one is the obvious issue of Kashmir, which had always been a concern for India since day 1 of independent India. At regular intervals book keeps going back to Kashmir. The second one is more interesting, it talks about how everyone around the world kept predicting the end of India, its disintegration, an army rule and various partitions, but there is something that kept it together.

Every big crisis in country made the world think that its time the country would shatter, but it came back, stronger most of the times. It is in the recent economic boom in India that people have stopped predicting its end.

At one level book looks like a collage of the press throughout the period it describes. If you had the patience to go through what press and journalists around the world wrote about India, its leaders and its policies and strategies, you could have written this book with some basic skill in logically organizing this book. But having said this, and looking at the references section of the book, you can imagine the amount of research / reading that would have gone into compiling the book.

It is a mammoth book to read with 800 odd pages, but at the same time as you read you also want the author to go deep into each of the chapters. Like I said before, at times it gives the impression of going through the news clipping of the period being described, and you end up wanting more analysis and a deeper view of the issues and questions at hand. But probably one book is not enough to describe such a vast and diverse history with so many perspectives.

There is this famous quote by Edward Gibbon “History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind”, and this book also conforms to this…I would recommend this book to anyone interested in history of modern India.

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#2112

From: lalit kumar <goldy0083@...>
Date:: Sat Aug 25, 2007 3:53 am
Subject:: intro

goldy0083

Offline

hello guys,

i am lalit kumar.

i am computer professional.

i am residense of sanjoli in shimla.

5, 50, 500, 5000 - Store N number of mails in your inbox. Click here.

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (3)

#2111

From: NITYIN <bnityin@...>
Date:: Sat Aug 25, 2007 9:49 am
Subject:: Chak De India!

bnityin

Offline

The film portrays today’s India very well. It not only shows what our attitude towards sports and especially towards women in sports but it mirrors a lot of divides that co-exist in the society. It talks about gender biases that exist across the sections of the society, be it parents, be it coaches, be it the partners, and be it the people whose job is to actually promote the women sports. It showcases the class divide, regional divide, urban-rural divide, senior-junior divide that exists and what happens when the people from different categories have to come together and perform or deliver as a team.

This is in addition to the age old mindsets that they need to fight within their own minds. What it highlights most is the lack of ‘team work or team spirit’ that is grossly missing in our education system. We are trained to be individual performers, where we have to fight against everyone around us. It never taught us that ‘battles can be won together too’. We are trained to hold on to our positions as we think only in terms of ‘me’ rather than ‘we’; we find it difficult to see the big picture.

Though reviews are reading a lot of messages in the movie, my biggest message is our need to work as teams rather than individuals and our ability to think big and ask ‘If anyone in the world can do it, why not me / us?’

The film is well made, with each character perfectly etched out. Each character highlights an issue that plagues the sports world and defines our attitude towards teamwork in general. All the girls look genuinely from where the character belongs to. It is said that lot of them did not know the acting skills, but I could not see the lack of it. Shahrukh is brilliant and he is just one in the team of 18 people, and never even once there is an attempt to overshadow any of the other characters. Without any popular Hindi film formulas, this film keeps you gripped for the whole three hour duration. A must watch.

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#2110

From: NITYIN <bnityin@...>
Date:: Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:57 pm
Subject:: Books you can’t read 60 yrs after we became independent

bnityin

Offline

Reforms is alive, the Empire’s long dead, the Cold War over, MTV all around. Yet, 60 years later, our mai baap sarkar still plays nanny. Books banned by the Raj remain on the banned list and many more have been added since. Here’s some of what you can’t read in India today. Of course, you can try to google your way out.

Read the full story

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#2109

From: NITYIN <bnityin@...>
Date:: Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:03 pm
Subject:: The Birth of Pakistan and The Survival of India

bnityin

Offline

An interesting article on birth of two nations.

Read it here

http://www.geocities.com/bnityin/pg1.html

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#2108

From: NITYIN <bnityin@...>
Date:: Tue Aug 14, 2007 6:18 pm
Subject:: Shreya - New Star from Shimla of the movie "The Blue Umbrella"

bnityin

Offline

Meet Shreya Sharma - 13 year old student of Tara Hall School and now a star of the latest Vishal Bhardwaj's movie, The Blue Umbrella, due to release this Friday the 17th. The movie in Shimla will be screened at The Ritz.

Here is a compilation of articles on Shreya and her work in the movie. Articles are courtsey of Himvani.

Shreya and Biniya

The Blue Umbrella to open in Shimla on Aug 17

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#2107

From: "Viplav Khoda" <viplav022@...>
Date:: Wed Aug 1, 2007 5:27 pm
Subject:: Re: help please, Delhi airport to bypass

khoda_viplav

Offline

Dear All,
Thanks for response.

VARUN, added u in facebook

NITIN, travelling to Chandigarh is not really an option, ticket to
Delhi is Rs.2200 and Rs.8000 for chandigarh, so that totally rules it out.

One of my friend suggented that i should go to outer ring road (by any
mean including TAXI/Auto),and then look for a bus from there. My
experience with Delhi taxi and Auto is not very good(and thats another
story ).


There is a bus from bypass at around 2AM, and i took same one last
year, hoping to get one before it this time.


one thing  for sure, i am not going to get any sleep on 31-1 night ;)




--------------------------------
---------------------------------
Hey Viplav

Sorry cant help on how to reach Bypass from the airport but you won't
get buses at this hour for Shimla. Travel to Chandigarh and you will
be at Chandigarh by evening and you will get eveninng buses from
Chandigarh to Shimla.

Regards
Nitin
---------------------------
HI THERE
I THINK THE BEST WAY IS TO CATCH THE REGULAR NIGHT DTC BUS TO ISBT
ITS BETTER AND SAFE THE FARE IS ABOUT 45 BUCKS, I HAVE A SERIOUS
DOUBTS IF THERE IS ANY BUS PLYING FROM AIRPORT TO BYE PASS
REGARDS AND WISHES
--------------------------
Hi Viplav

I think the best will be to come to ISBT instead of bypass. It will
certainly increase your travel time but in anycase it will better than
standing at the bypass for the bus. There is no late night service
from Delhi and if they are the buses get filled up at ISBT.

Connectivity from airport is certainly a concern in Delhi.

cheers

Varun Rattan Singh

#2106

From: "Varun Rattan Singh" <varun.ratan@...>
Date:: Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:28 am
Subject:: Re: help please, Delhi airport to bypass

maverickvarun

Offline

Hi Viplav

I think the best will be to come to ISBT instead of bypass. It will
certainly increase your travel time but in anycase it will better than
standing at the bypass for the bus. There is no late night service
from Delhi and if they are the buses get filled up at ISBT.

Connectivity from airport is certainly a concern in Delhi.

cheers

Varun Rattan Singh
+91 98711 26155

I work for Community Friendly Movement (www.whycfm.org)

I am in love with Himachal Pradesh. To know more about the state log
onto http://www.himvani.com

To know me better follow this trail http://www.himvani.com/maverick

#2105

From: "highlander698" <mapwaym@...>
Date:: Mon Jul 30, 2007 1:56 am
Subject:: Re: help please, Delhi airport to bypass

highlander698

Offline

HI THERE
  I THINK THE BEST WAY IS TO CATCH THE REGULAR NIGHT DTC BUS TO ISBT
ITS BETTER AND SAFE THE FARE IS ABOUT 45 BUCKS, I HAVE A SERIOUS
DOUBTS IF THERE IS ANY BUS PLYING FROM AIRPORT TO BYE PASS
REGARDS AND WISHES

--- In Shimlahangout@..., "Viplav Khoda" <viplav022@...>
wrote:
>
> My annual pilgrimage is due on 31st Aug. I will go to shimla, but
> problem is I left delhi in 1991 and dont know much about the directions.
> If I reache on time i will be in delhi at 11.30PM an 31Aug, problem is
> i have no clue how the hell i go to Bypass to catch a bus to shimla.
> Please tell which is most cost efficient way to reach there, and how
> much time it takes form domestic airport to bypass.
> Also is there any bus at this time, last year one of my cousin was
> good enough to help me cover this part. But i was standing at bypass
> from 1AM to 2.45 till i got bus that to only up to Chandigarh.
>
> So i have two questions
> 1. How to reach bypass by using public transport(can't afford taxi fare)
> 2. Bus of sharing cab from there on. (bus will be preferred choice but
> if there is no choice then shared taxi they take around 400 and i do
> not wish to stand in middle of no where for two hours at such a
> romantic time)
>
> please take ur time to reply but remember i have to leave by 31 Aug,
> so do ur research and HELP!
>
> regards,
> viplav
>

#2104

From: "Nitin" <bnityin@...>
Date:: Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:08 pm
Subject:: Re: help please, Delhi airport to bypass

bnityin

Offline

Hey Viplav

Sorry cant help on how to reach Bypass from the airport but you won't
get buses at this hour for Shimla. Travel to Chandigarh and you will
be at Chandigarh by evening and you will get eveninng buses from
Chandigarh to Shimla.

Regards
Nitin

#2103

From: "Viplav Khoda" <viplav022@...>
Date:: Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:14 pm
Subject:: help please, Delhi airport to bypass

khoda_viplav

Offline

My annual pilgrimage is due on 31st Aug. I will go to shimla, but
problem is I left delhi in 1991 and dont know much about the directions.
If I reache on time i will be in delhi at 11.30PM an 31Aug, problem is
i have no clue how the hell i go to Bypass to catch a bus to shimla.
Please tell which is most cost efficient way to reach there, and how
much time it takes form domestic airport to bypass.
Also is there any bus at this time, last year one of my cousin was
good enough to help me cover this part. But i was standing at bypass
from 1AM to 2.45 till i got bus that to only up to Chandigarh.

So i have two questions
1. How to reach bypass by using public transport(can't afford taxi fare)
2. Bus of sharing cab from there on. (bus will be preferred choice but
if there is no choice then shared taxi they take around 400 and i do
not wish to stand in middle of no where for two hours at such a
romantic time)

please take ur time to reply but remember i have to leave by 31 Aug,
so do ur research and HELP!

regards,
viplav

#2102

From: ajit singh <ajitsinghbains2004@...>
Date:: Wed Jul 4, 2007 11:31 am
Subject:: INTRODUCTION

ajitsinghbai...

Offline

HI'
I AM AJIT SINGH,A RESIDENT OF KOLKATA,WEST BENGAL,AND
BY PROFESSION IS ENGINEER IN ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS
/ACCOMPANIED BY VAST PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE OF 35
YEARS,WORKING AS SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER(ENGINEERING)
I AM OF 55 YEARS OF AGE, AND PUNJABI BY CAST.
I HAVE VISITED SHIMLA HUNDRED TIMES IN LAST 35 YEARS
AND LOVE THE CITY LIKE YOU ALL.
MAY BE I CAN SETTLE DOWN IN SHIMLA, WHEN I RETIRE.
WISH YOU ALL GOOD LUCK AND HEALTH.

REGARDS,

AJIT SINGH.

AJIT SINGH



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#2101

From: NITYIN <bnityin@...>
Date:: Fri Jun 29, 2007 2:34 pm
Subject:: Re: Shimla - Newsletter Bikes on hire in Manali ?

bnityin

Offline

Dear Varun

Greetings after a very long time! My fav subject... Bikes!!

In Delhi you can hire Motorcycles from karol bagh. Mostly Enfields, you can choose from 350cc & 500cc. Good place to rent is Lalli Singh, he is an old hand and still doing well but maybe bit expensive than others. You can negotiate rent somewhere between Rs. 250-300 perday.
I personally find ride from Delhi to Manali bit boring on bike. Almost half of the road is highway which is just cruising along. Good(bit difficult) ride starts from Swarghat (border of Punjab and Himachal), thats where the hills starts.

What I remember from my past excursions, in Manali, you can rent bike (100cc as well as Enfields) from Anu Automobiles on the rohtang Road, near Tibetean Colony. This road is when coming from main bazaar, cross the wooden brigde and turn left..go 100mtr and its on the left side of the road.

Safe riding

Varun Rattan Singh <varun.ratan@...> wrote:

Hi

Some of friends are planning to visit Manali and than go to Leh on
bikes from there. They wanted to know if Bikes are available on rent
in Manali and how much will be the cost involved ? Is there anybody in
the group who knows about such services than please let us know.

with warm regards

Varun Rattan Singh
+91 98711 26155

HimVani.com
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#2100

From: yashwant singh <yashwant006@...>
Date:: Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:58 pm
Subject:: details

yashwant006

Offline

Name Yashwant Singh Thakur

D.O.B 16th Nov. 1972.

Frofession Civil Engineer

Address Thakur Niwas Jakha, Navbhar P.O Sanjauli Shimla-6 H.P

Download prohibited? No problem. CHAT from any browser, without download.

#2099

From: "Varun Rattan Singh" <varun.ratan@...>
Date:: Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:10 am
Subject:: Bikes on hire in Manali ?

maverickvarun

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