Ruskin Bond: Author

A name that needs no reference and no introduction is Ruskin Bond. Ruskin Bond’s hands have written such literary masterpieces that are hard to find in the century. Ruskin Bond, a rhetoric writer, was born in the Kasauli region (Solan District) of Himachal Pradesh on 19th May 1934. Ruskin Bond did Ruskin Bond’s schooling from one of the famous and oldest boarding schools in Asia that is Bishop Cotton School. Ruskin Bond has been awarded the prestigious awards such as Sahitya Akademi Award for English writings and Padam Shree. Ruskin Bond’s love towards Himachal, Shimla, Kasauli and other neighboring places can be very well seen in Ruskin Bond’s novels and short stories. Ruskin Bond mostly writes the ghost stories related to Hiamchal.

Khali - Dilip Singh Rana, Wrestler

Dilip Singh Rana may not be so familiar. But what about ‘The Great Khali’? Does that sound familiar? Of course, yes. Dilip Singh Rana is the original name of the internationally renowned wrestler The Great Khali. A huge man, 7 feet 3 inches tall weighing about 196 kg comes from the holy land of Himachal Pradesh.Dilip Singh Rana was born in a poor family in a very small village of Sirmaur district. It is said that till Dilip Singh Rana’s initial teens Dilip Singh Rana’s growth was normal, but suddenly it took a rapid edge and Dilip Singh Rana grew like anything. As the family was poor and it was very difficult to them to make both ends meet, moreover Dilip’s hunger growing day by day due to Dilip Singh Rana’s size was a big problem. As a result, Dilip had to work as a labourer on the road cutting stones and other manual work to earn the daily bread to kill the hunger of Dilip Singh Rana’s belly. Life was at its worse for this man of extraordinary built.It was Dilip's serendipity that a Deputy Superintendent of Police got Dilip Singh Rana’s eye on him and was very much influenced by Dilip Singh Rana’s physique and immediately took Dilip with him into the Punjab police. There Dilip Singh Rana did regular workouts in gym and made is physique in shape. As a result Dilip Singh Rana also won the ‘Mr. India’ award for bodybuilding. Now there was no looking back for him. Dilip Singh Rana went to California to learn the tact of Professional wrestling. Dilip Singh Rana took coaching there for several years and after this rigorous schedule Dilip Singh Rana made Dilip Singh Rana’s entry into the world famous ‘World Wrestling Entertainment’. Dilip Singh Rana has won various wrestling events there defeating the famous contender ‘The Undertaker’. Dilip Singh Rana’s gigantic physique even took him to the couple of Hollywood movies. It is really a matter of real pride for us all that a son of Himachal is making our name proud throughout the world.

Anupam Kher - A Virtuoso Actor

Anupam Kher is the man known for Anupam Kher’s tremendous acting skills in the film industry. One of veterans in the film industry, Anupam Kher has made the state proud of him as Anupam Kher belongs to the Dev Bhoomi. Anupam Kher was born into a middle class family on 7th March 1955. Anupam Kher’s schooling is from the famous D.A.V. School Lakkar Bazaar. During Anupam Kher’s school days Anupam Kher had a keen interest in the acting side. Anupam Kher used to participate in the school plays and dramas during various functions. Later for higher education, Anupam Kher joined the Himachal Pradesh University, Summerhill, Shimla. By that time Anupam Kher had become a good theatre artist. Anupam Kher’s plays and acts were appreciated there. This talent finally took him to the Cinema world and Anupam Kher bade debut in the movie, ‘Aagman’. Anupam Kher’s first hit was ‘Saransh’, in 1984. Since then innumerable hits have been into Anupam Kher’s career bag. Anupam Kher has also been the head of the Censor Board once. Anupam Kher occupies a significant position in the Indian Cinema and thus making we all Himachalis proud.

Article on Priety Zinta

One of my favorites is Preity Zinta. Priety Zinta is an actress by profession and the striking thing is that Priety Zinta belongs to Himachal. Not to be shocked, her dimples are popular in the whole of Bollywood, our film industry and the whole of Indian film addicts too.

Priety Zinta was born on January 31, 1975 and started her career in the film line with the debut "Dil Se" and made the movie a super hit stuff. Priety Zinta won Filmfare Best Female Debut Award (New face of the year) Nomination, Best Supporting Actress Award in the Filmfare awards and really the movie was a damn hit. Priety Zinta has done numerous films in the industry since then and I am sure that every one of us who surfs the net, is quite aware of this name and especially in India. Priety Zinta is something, which Himachal can boast about and can be sure that it’s flag, is going to be high. Basically Preity seems to be a typical punjabi. The best thing about her is that Priety Zinta did not confine herself to just and only acting, but Priety Zinta also dedicated herself to many other jobs as well.

One of the most scintillating stars in the Bollywood. Preity Zinta, today’s top rated actress of the Indian Cinema belongs to the beautiful city of Shimla. A celebrity, famous worldwide makes the Himachalis feel proud by her excellent work in the Indian movies. Priety Zinta belongs to a Rajput Hindu family. Priety Zinta did her schooling from one of the famous girls school in Shimla that is ‘Convent of Jesus and Mary’. Priety Zinta passed her matriculation from this school. Later for higher education Priety Zinta took admission in the nearby and the most reputed girls collge of Shimla that is St.Bedes, Shimla. Priety Zinta did her English honours from this college.Evident from the above facts that her childhood and youth age was spent in the beautiful hills of Shimla. Later Priety Zinta entered into the glamour world, by making ‘Perk Chocolate’ as her debut advertisement. After this there was no looking back for this Himachali girl. Priety Zinta got the first offer for the movie ‘Dil Se’ that too with the top actor, Shah Rukh Khan. Her work was appreciated there and later Priety Zinta rocked the cinema with movies like, ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’, ‘Veer Zaara’, ‘Salaam Namaste’ etc

Every one of us is aware of what is IPL. It is the Indian Premiere League, in which there were so many teams bought by many of our Indian celebrities. The name of the team, which Preity Zinta owned, was Kings 11 Punjab and again a Punjabi munda was the captain, Mr. Yuvraj Singh.

Preity Zinta is a treasure of qualities but there is one quality, which I really love to possess, if I would able to. I really appreciate her impression in the industry. Her name could never be joined with anyone, and it could not be popularized with anyone in the industry or anywhere else, "that way". However I am proud of the pretty Preity, that Priety Zinta is an Indian.

Shimla: Queen of Hills

History of Shimla

We all know that Shimla is one of the best tourist places in the nation. But have we ever given a thought to its history? No one had ever heard of Simla two centuries ago. We often hear from people or residents that it was the Britishers who crowned Shimla as the Queen of Hills. Getting deep into the mystery, where was this breathtaking hill station, two centuries back? The answer is ambiguous and very less people carry this information. Not much of literature is available in this context also. Isn’t it surprising how we always refer to Shimla as the ‘Summer Capital’ during the days of British Raj? Let’s go back to the real origins of this picturesque town.Shimla originated as ‘Shumla’ (as pronounced by the hill people)- a small hamlet. The British discovered Shimla in the early 19th century. The earliest written reference to it was in 1817. Wilson the author of ‘Abode of Snow’ claims, two Scott officers, named the Gerard brothers, while doing a survey of the Sutlej Valley, came across the beautiful village of Shumla. Captain Alexander Gerard was so fascinated by it that he wrote in his diary about ‘’Seemla, a middle sized village where a fakir is stationed to give water to the travelers…’’ The date mentioned in the diary is August 30, 1817. Carey’s ‘Simla Guide’ of 1870 says Shimla’s name is derived from “Shayeamalya”, a house built of blue slate by a fakir at Jakhoo. But historians disagree with it as they feel it is too far fetched a claim.Kavalam Madhava Pannikar, the author of The Himalayas in Indian Life says Shimla is named after a temple dedicated to Shamla Devi, another name for the Hindu goddess Kali. Once situated near Rothney Castle at Jakhoo, this temple catered to devotees from neighboring villages. Decades ago Adrian Ross wrote that Shimla lay “over the mountain, under the peaks of snow”.

Geographical Position of Shimla:-

Topographically, Shimla is perched on the lofty Himalayas rise from the bed of prehistoric ocean of Tethyas. From a nondescript village, Shimla rose above the turmoil of the Gurkha wars of the early 19th century to be a military outpost and as sanitaria. Ultimately it became the Summer Capital of British India.If one holds the map of old Shimla east side up, one finds it resembling a dancing lady wearing toga. Hence Shimla is also known as the 'Queen of Hills'. Her face and the flowers in her hair are the areas near Sanjauli. The arm pointing towards the south is Kasumpti and that in the north is Longwood, Kelston and Bharari. The lady dances on a range of mountains of the middle Himalayas that joins the last traverse spur of the central Himalayas, near the river Sutlej. The elevation of the dancing area is 2397.59m above the sea level. Her dance started when Captain Charles Pratt Kennedy, the newly appointed Political Officer to the Hill States, built the first permanent house here and named it Kennedy House. The total area of 19.55 square meters of old Shimla falls in a seismic belt.The dancing queen of hills has seven hills and that is why, in the earlier days, it was also called the City of Seven Hills . These hills are:

1. Jakhoo Hill (2454m)

2. Elysium Hill (2257m)

3. Observatory Hill (2157m)

4. Bantony/Museum Hill (2201m)

5. Prospect Hill (2177m)

6. Potters Hill (2073m)

7. Summer Hill (2104m)The famous Jakhoo Hill (2454m) is situated towards the last side of the map. Here is situated very famous and old temple of Lord Hanuman, popularly known as Jakhoo Temple.

Elysium Hill (2257m) is situated towards the north side of the map, it is that area where Auckland House School is located and this hill stretches up to Longwood, Kelston and Bharari.

Prospect Hill (2177m) is the hill where the famous Kamna Devi temple is situated.

Museum/Bantony Hill (2201m) is situated towards the Chara Maidan area stretching up to the Mall. The museum Hill starts from the place where the famous Peter Hoff Hotel is located. The original building burnt down and a new building was constructed in its place. It is today the site of Himachal Pradesh State Government guesthouse.

Observatory Hill (2157m) is the area where the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, or the old Viceregal lodge is located.

Summer Hill (2104m) is that area where the Himachal Pradesh University is located.Potters Hill (2073m) is next to Summer Hill area.

Sea Beach: Digha

DIGHA Sea Beach of West-Bengal

Digha Beach Tour, the quest for the dream beach holiday ends at this point! Digha Beach of West Bengal the breathtakingly gorgeous beach is a true ecstasy for the lovers of nature. The casuarinas plantation all along the coast is so enchanting! The tranquil sea is so appealing! The dream objective of Digha on the eastern coast of India is distinguished the world over for its level and solid beaches. The prettiness of the Digha beach has fascinated tourists ever since the days of Warren Hastings! Subsequently it was referred to as Beer cool! Undeniably Digha is seven extended kilometers of enjoyable and frolic! Despite the fact that at the Digha beach one can chill out in the sun, placid sea, surf and the sand. The sea is out of harm's way for swimming so one may safely take a dip!

Tourist Attractions:
DighaDigha can be visited for the duration of any season throughout the year. One can carry out a tour from Kolkata to Digha for expenses a squat vacation. The expanse of this trendy tourist spot of West Bengal is nearly 185 km from Calcutta city. The prior name of Digha was Beercool. Get around and See New Digha Beach, Talsari Beach, Temple at Chandaneswar, Marine Station /Aquarium of Zoological Survey of India. This is probably the finest outfitted marine aquarium in India, but the collections of specimens are rather pitiable. Some local ordinary fishes are kept in this massive aquarium. There is no entrance fee for the aquarium as on November 2005. Swimming the paramount place for a plunge safe and sound is at old Digha. Cross the Sea Hawk hotel and carry on. About 5 minutes walk will take to the beach in the course of "Jhaubans". The beach at this point is of flat with superficial depth. The inventive locals who would acknowledge payment later by visiting you to the hotel by and large serve Beer at the beach. Sunbathing one can have a sunbath safely on the silvery bitches of Digha or play a game of beach Volleyball at the best sea beach of Bengal.
On the brink of Digha are many other tourist attractions as well. Digha is a wonderful go away in the lap of nature.
Chandaneswar is at an expanse of 8 kms away where one can pray to Lord Shiva in the legendary antique temple.
Shankarpur where the visitors may get contentment from the pleasures of a confidential beach with casuarinas plantations.
Souvenirs and gifts Digha offers stuff made up of seashells and further local materials on the seashore itself. Next there is availability of the well-known hand woven mats that are prepared from weeds, which are obtainable in multiplicity of colors. Whilst shopping at Digha the tourists just cannot leave out the so very renowned cashew nuts.

Accommodation:

Accommodation is effortlessly accessible at Digha there are tourist lodges, deluxe hotels; budget hotels all are available in plenty. Though is desirable to reserve previous to the holiday season.

How to get there:
By Air: Digha is straightforwardly accessible. To reach beach resort you may land at the airport of Calcutta.
By Rail: Kharagpur and Calcutta provide the way out for the rail transport with other cities of India.
By Road: All the way through by road Digha is well connected with Calcutta, Bradhaman, Durgapur, Suri, Bankura, Jamshedpur and many other places. Pack the dream destination of

For further information and Booking:

West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited
3/2 BBD Bagh (East)
Kolkata 700 001 Phone: 033 2485917/5168/8271/8272

Details of Punjab State of India

Punjab: One of the Indian Popular States

Punjab is one of the 28 princely states of India. As you can see in the below map of India, Its bordering states are Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu Kashmir and Pakistan Province of Punjab.

Chandigarh is the capital city of Punjab, which is also capital of Haryana state of India. Apart from Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Mohali, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Patiala are the major cites of Punjab state. Agriculture industry tops in Punjab state and thus, Punjab is the largest producer of the wheat in India. Punjab is the state with the lowest poverty rate in India with having top class infrastructure.