Rock Engravings of Goa

        

        Goa, my favourite place that I love to visit any number of times for its exotic beaches, beautiful churches, Portuguese architecture, clean roads, lanes and few good friends that I made during my third visit to Goa.  I first visited Goa in 1989.  It was a very short trip.  There are not much memories of that visit except for Sher-e-Punjab Restaurant on 16 June Road where we had our dinner. Then visit to few beaches i.e. Miramar, Colungute, Vagator Beach and a Church where the mortal remains of a saint are kept. Besides this the Hotel Om Shanti where we spent our night. This is all that I had remembered about Goa till 2009.

        My second visit to Goa in 2009 was a part of a training. We, the whole bunch of 21 trainees visited Goa for a study trip.  The other part of the training was state attachment where I chose Goa and spent four weeks in Goa.  During my stay at Goa I visited many Government Offices including the prison. For the first time in my life I read few Acts which I found very interesting and realized the importance of Acts.  These are the Acts actually which gives the real picture of that state, this is what I realized after reading few Acts.

    One of the family friends visited Goa for a vacation along with their family and this visit happened during my one month long stay at Goa.  It was, their visit, which introduced me to these wonderful engravings in Goa. They planned their visit to this site with the help of Archaeological Survey of India and when I was asked whether I would like to join them, I accepted with a emphatic YES though I had no idea about the place and never ever had heard about it. I thought there must be few caves as I had seen earlier in other parts of our country.

        Before, we start our journey I met a girl from the ASI who suggested me few things about the sight and also suggested that we should pour water into the carving to get the real image. I took note of her suggestion. There was one boy who was working on historical sights,  who was accompanied us. 

    These are the Rock Engravings in Usgalimal village in Southern part of Goa.  This village is in the Sanguem Taluka in South Goa District.  It is about 57 km from Panjim and by road it is about one hour and 30 minutes drive. These engraving or carving whatever one wants to call it, are situated on the river bed of river Kushavati and most of the months during the year these engravings remain under water as the water level of the river rises. 

    On reaching the site, we found few carvings, which I couldn't understand. Then we start to pour water on these and images that emerged looked, so beautiful and colourful and it was a treat to eyes. 

Peacock in its full glory, I suppose👇👇

It appears a man in the following picture.

The following carving must be of a BISON

Is it a DEER or something else??👇👇

                 

The following picture also gives a picture of a Bison or an OX, I suppose 

Two carvings can be seen here in the picture down below.  One is clicked after pouring water and one is without water. 

    I have found this CHAKRA (in the picture below) very beautiful and mesmerizing. Is it a CHAKRA or a  MAZE or something else??

    Later on found some material on somewhat similar figure in some other part of the world where it is mentioned as circular labyrinth. These are normally found near to the sea-coast and had several names depending on the languages found in that region, as suggested by the study found on the internet. The description given in that study  somewhat  fits to this figure also.  

    It was mentioned in the material that I found on internet that the fishermen and peasants said that these were used for children's games, a girl standing at the centre whilst the boys raced for her along with the winding paths. But the historian believed that these are the ancient remains and probably originated in the Bronze Age. It was also  mentioned in that piece of information that similar figures have also been found in Iceland and Germany.  

Was it carved for playing or it was a map of circular labyrinth or some chakra or it was carved for some other purpose??

Is it some TEMPLE or what, 👇 no idea😔

        This is the river Kushavati which takes these rock carvings in its lap during monsoon. Most of the time, as the water level goes up, these carving get covered under the water.

        These engravings are supposed to be 20,000 to 40,000 years old and are a very solid proof of human habitat in this area. These probably belonged to the Upper Paleolithic or Meolithic Era. Ironically, these oldest carvings were discovered by EUROPEANS.  What are we doing all these years? Why, WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA didn't have any idea about this area?? When I searched for the material about these engraving, sadly didn't find any thing.  Thanx to the Internet that lately found some material on  on https://digitalgoa.com/stone-age-carvings-in-goa/.

        Who lived here?? I heard only the name of Neanderthals who lived during this Upper Paleolithic Era which is also called the LATE STONE AGE.  So no idea about the inhabitants in this area. 

    We are so proud of our Heritage and every second, we are boasting about it without knowing much about the heritage. Aren't these a part of our rich heritage.  In most of the historical sights in India, we come to know that these were found by the British or Europeans be it Ajanta Caves, The Stupa of Sanchi, Khajuraho Temples and I am sure that there can be more.  (Ironically, those who boast about the rich heritage, preferred to visit phoren lands for their excursions.)

  I am neither an Historian nor an Archaeologist, otherwise could have searched and written some book.

    It is really sad to see that most of the people are not aware of this place and it is not even included in the list of places to be visited in Goa.  When people talk about Goa, then it means its Beaches and Churches alone.  No doubt Goa has excellent beaches and the most beautiful churches.

    After the completion of the training, we all participants gave our presentations about the offices that we visited and garnered the knowledge during our state attachment.  Since I was the only person who chose Goa, therefore, I had to give my presentation on my own where as other participants  were in groups of four to five people.  I remember, when I was leaving for Goa, few of my other co-participants gave me instructions or I should put it this way, that they were guiding me about Goa because they had already made 4-6 visits to Goa. After my return, when I gave my presentation on my state attachment, it lasted for two and half hour and it had 97 slides.  Incidentally no body got bored. After my presentation, the same co-participants said "We actually haven't seen Goa, you gave us the real picture of Goa and now we want to visit Goa once again."  This was an achievement for me. 

    This is the fact that  people actually have not seen Goa completely.  In fact it is really very very difficult to see India in one lifetime. 

 

Best wishes for the next innings, Buddies

   

    Two of my friends are retiring today i.e. 31.08.2020.  One of these AJ with whom I am associated from my very early days of service.  We were not only in the same office but we were in the same section.  I joined Service in Union Public Service Commission in June 1987 and this friend of mine AJ, who was already working in this office was transferred to the same section probably one month later. 🙂

    Since we were of the same age and sitting next to each other so we became friends. All the other colleagues in the section were old, some of these were near retirement age or some of these had already completed 10-15 years of service, therefore, they had become the real babus.  Whereas I was new and AJ was not new but he had not become the real babu so it was easier to talk to him. We remained in the same section for few months and then I shifted out to some other section and he was also posted to some other section and we both got busy with our work but remained in touch.  😏😐

    For few years, didn't forget to wish each other on birthdays. But in later years we moved on to our lives and hardly communicating with each.  Once in a while talked over phone for few minutes. 😌

    Today, as he is retiring he is now a grandfather and hasn't change much in his physical appearance. Credit goes to his best half, his wife and family. On his retirement day I am feeling as if one chapter of  my life is closed. I talked to him over phone and wished him good luck for the next innings. 🙂  

    My other colleague SKG whom I met in 2015 when I got my promotion and got posted in Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.  SKG, though we were at the same post but he is senior to me.  An honest and hardworking man but talks too much.  When he opens his mouth, others have to put in efforts to shut him up. 😜

    He is always ready to help others and yes during my tenure in the same ministry, as I was moved out to the attached office, whenever I got stuck at anyplace while handling files / cases in my office, I never hesitated to consult him. And he also never hesitated to advise me. We usually met during meetings or farewell parties which were organised in the office or sometimes once in a while we used to meet either at his office or in my office.  Chatting with SKG was always very refreshing.  He usually cracks jokes and used to pull my leg over my weight. 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

    One more  person AK, I met in 2015, is retiring today.  I met him during a training in March 2015. AK is a narcissist and used to invite controversies where ever he goes.  During the training we all used to make fun of him over his one typical dialogue about his previous posting which he used to utter everywhere and to everyone he meets. 😜🤣

During our overseas study tour he danced in river cruise and his dance was more like a parade but he used to boast like anything about his dance. He was sharing room in the hotel with another colleague and told him that he will show his dance skills in the room. This other colleague commented is going for a strip tease.😀

    So all the best wishes for these buddies on starting new innings with their grandkids. 🎈🎉

    

Living under the seize -- Light a candle or lamp

The second task that was given to WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA by the Hon'ble Prime Minister was to light a candle or a earthen lamp or shine a flash light of the mobile on 5th April, 2020 at 9.00 PM as a gesture of thanks to all the front warriors in Covid 19. It was also requested to shut all the lights off the house for nine minutes.

I was talking to a friend about this and suggested him to wait and watch the scientific and astrological justification behind this even and here it was.  I received messages from few that how today lighting a candle or earthen lamp at 9.00 at night is auspicious.

People were asked to light A LAMP OR CANDLE 9.00 and WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA interpreted LIGHTING NINE CANDLES OR NINE LAMPS. 

The message that was being circulated was very intelligently crafted. It says Modi speech today (03.04.2020) is based on numerology...

And the Sunday (05.04.2020) lighting event is also based on numerology. Today he gave speech at 9 am for 9 minutes..............9th day (??)

5 April (5+4)=9*

9* pm

For 9 minutes

9* number is Mars

Light, Fire = Mars

Modiji activating energy of planet.

Earlier, when the PM requested the country men to clap or ring a bell or beat a plate, for health workers, home delivery boys etc. at 5.00 pm on 22.03.2020, even then a crafted message was in circulation.  The message says 

The 5pm clapping modi asked us to do is extremely interesting. Someone, I know who's studied astrology and knows how to co-relate with science.  At that time Moon is passing to a new 'nakshatra' called Revati.  

The playing of bells and clapping: The cumulative vibration will encourage blood circulation in the body.

It's the reason they used to have huge, gong like bells in old Shakti temples on the mountains.

22nd March is Amavasya, darkest day in a month.  All virus, bacteria and evil forces have maximum potential and power on such days. 5pm clapping, shankh nada etc by 130 crore people at the same time will create so much vibrations that virus will probably lose its potency. 

 Who had crafted these messages, no body knows except for the creator of these messages.  But the fellow is extremely intelligent and is fully aware of Indian psych. 

Anyways, now back to lighting a candle or lamp or the flash light of smart phone.  Prior to this event I received a forward again crafted by somebody with a good sense of humour. Here I am sharing the picture from the gallery of WhatsApp University.

 As it had already happened in the past that people have shared fake pictures with the tall claims that it was released by NASA.  Similarly, I received the above picture from a friend and thought of sharing it with few friends.

One of the friends got annoyed and commented that A negative person can see only negative. I was surprised and also spent sometime on thinking that who is NEGATIVE here, the creator of this image or me who shared this picture or my friend who received this picture from me. Anyhow, didn't burden my brain and just shun this thought.

I received  the following screen shot of twitter from a friend on whatsApp and I could not understand whether it was a sarcasm or serious note 

Anyway, since it was also request to shut all the lights off at nine PM on 05.04.2020, therefore, the power sector was put on alert mode to maintain grid stability  If all the lights all over India were to be shut off, then there was a possibility of  collapsing of the grid. 

As reported by the ET, the grid stability in the country is maintained by keeping power frequency within a range specified by Central Electricity Regulatory Authority (CERC).  Any deviation from identified frequency is managed by increasing or decreasing power flow in the grid.  Sudden drop or increase in frequency causes a collapse.  Many discussions were held on this issue in TV debates or Prime Times where few had suggested PM to think over this issue.  Somehow, our engineers managed it and the grids were saved.

Now, like all others, I also started waiting for the night. My wait was more for the extra curricular activities by the citizens as we have seen lots of such activities during the clap event.

As the wall clocks in Indian houses announced the time 9.00, we saw a blackout and found people clicking pictures of the nine candles that they lighted.  My wait was over when we heard the sounds of bursting fire crackers which went for 20 minutes.  It was a mega diwali.

After few days, as expected, fake pictures were circulating with India shining  and it was claimed that this picture was clicked from a satellite. On one of the social media site I received this news that Amitabh Bachchan was slammed for sharing hoax 9. pm, 9 minutes' satellite photo of India

Don't know what to say on this.  

People circulated a message that When the world was crumbling, Hindustan was shining. Isn't is a more negative message. It is the most sadist statement. What kind of message we want to give to the world during this atmosphere when thousands of people were dying with a tiny virus.  

Living under seize of Corona -Janta Curfew

Corona outbreak all over the world has brought the lives of homo sapiens to a stand still. Every where there is a fear which has engulfed  every thing. Side by side there are people who believe that they won't get affected with it whereas there are people who got terrified the moment one touches their face. The scare of Corona, which has been named Covid19, is seen to be believed.

So many theories rather rumours are circling the air. Some say Chinese in Wuhan got infected from bat soup. Some say it was leaked in August 2019 from the warfare lab of USA and few officers who were carriers of this virus visited China which resulted in transmission of virus in Chinese. Whatever are the facts behind this emergence of Covid 19, but one thing is for sure that Covid19 has engulfed the planet earth strongly.

China initially hide this news from the world as reports say. After China, Italy is the most affected.  There were videos where Italians were seen giving hug to Chinese as a mark of affection towards Chinese after the spread of Corona. This hug diplomacy saw many deaths as the virus settled in those generous Italians.

Later on lockdown was announced in Italy, initially Italians celebrated the lockdown as a mass holiday and went out for picnics but later on when they locked themselves in their houses, they came out with brilliant ideas to beat the blues of lockdown. They start singing from their houses. When I  came to know about this novel idea to beat the blues of lockdown after the spread of novel Corona, talked to a friend who is settled in Rome. He responded affirmatively and also told that every city of Italy have their turns. When I talked to this friend it was Saturday and he informed that it was the turn of Rome.  Saw few videos on you tube and it was really amazing to see such innovative ideas.

The videos on social media shows that Spain had also adopted the same. In the videos we saw people using their utensils if they don't find any instrument.

In our country, few cases were reported which were increasing with every day. In view of this, our  honourable PM requested the country men to observe Lockdown for one day from 7AM to 9PM. All the residents had to confine themselves in their homes and no movement on roads was allowed.  People had to maintain social distancing for these few hours. He had also requested to thank all the workers, doctors, delivery boys etc. who are providing services, at five o'clock in the evening on 22nd March 2020 during one day lock down, by clapping or beating  utensils.

It was named Janta Curfew,  means Curfew willfully imposed by the citizens of this country upon themselves.

We received emails on our official email addresses for Janta Curfew oath which was mailed to us. We were advised to take an oath in solidarity to the Janta Curfew. Before that few formalities were to be completed and after filling the  proforma which was mailed to us an electronic certificate is issued. I also took the oath but the certificate is not available with me right now.

Indians who are known for melodramas, have faithfully over do this Janta Curfew. So much so that WhatsApp was flooded with messages that the date of 22nd March and time of 5.00 PM chosen by the Most Hon'ble Prime Minister, is very scientific and auspicious.  If at this time 130 crores of Indians clap together, it will create so much vibration that THE CORONA WILL VANISH AWAY AUTOMATICALLY.  🤯 And Indians faithfully believed this message and obeyed the Janta Curfew with so much fan fare that it appears that Covid 19 is actually a festival which is to be celebrated with enthusiasm.

In the society I mean the  colony I resides also celebrated this festival and of course I also joined and clapped only. The faithful Indians in our society have brought their utensils at sharp 5.00 PM and started beating . Our RWA arranged for the mighty loudspeakers which were connected to somebody's mobile phone.  Through that mobile a soundtrack with the sounds of temple bells and seashell was played at full volume.  This soundtrack was in circulation in the corridors of WhatsApp University with a request to play it on 22nd March 2020. This tamasha went on for 15 minutes.

Later on, we received number of pictures and videos where Indians have faithfully shown their exemplary talent and enthusiasm with which they celebrated this new imported festival Covid19. Here I am sharing pictures from the library and notice boards of WhatsApp University 👇👇

 Here in the above picture somebody had added an interesting caption with a request "Now tell us Modiji what else is to be done now".



The following picture has more interesting caption, GO CORONA GO.
As if Corona entered India with their permission and now will go with their directions.🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭

These pictures have brought out the tremendous  abilities of Indians, their mental state, their understanding of the situation as well as the understanding of appeal by their favourite leader.

Once I read an article in one of the magazine's where it was said that an American tourist while writing his memoirs of his holidays in India had mentioned that every Indian is a doctor.  He said in his article that moment you mention the disease in front of an Indian he will come out with a name of a medicine and with full confidence he will suggest you to take the medicine prescribed by him. Same is seen during this period of corona era.

Over the period we have seen that people have developed interest in things like cow dung and cow urine which have been interpreted as the most efficient ingredient not only for organic farming but also for cure in several diseases. Therefore, consumption of cow urine is seen as the major cure against Covid 19.  Here in the following picture which is actually a newspaper clipping and received from the library of WhatsApp University, cow urine is being consumed for tackling Covid19. It is yet to be proved by any of the laboratories but what is the harm in trying. 



Following video clippings are the celebration of SOCIAL DISTANCING during Janta Curfew by the WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA. They came out on roads at sharp 5:00 PM with the tricolour, bells because Hon'ble PM had said to thank all the warriors like health workers, delivery boys, doctors etc. So showing their solidarity for all these as well as for the Hon'ble PM, they missed the word balcony and came out on roads in large numbers.  Since most of these live in closed houses and dingy lanes therefore for them the roads serve the purpose of balcony.

This large procession is in one of the largest States our country and is ruled by a person who is being seen as THE BEST CHIEF MINISTER.  People are shouting slogans for the country.

None of these are being seen as thanking the frontline warriors in this Corona Era.  Are they sure that they had understood what was expected of them. 

This one is hilarious, here this lady had brought her two most significant utensils and beaten them with full vigour and dedication.

More so, a very famous bollywood hero whom his wife calls Einstein, gathered a huge crowd at Juhu beach and was beating a school bell.  Einstein must be turning in his grave. 

In one of the videos, which sadly is not available with me, a girl was seen beating her plate and shouting GO CORONA GO GO CORONA GO.

ARE YOU LISTENING CORONA??



Our Health Service vs Our Respect for Life

            One of my friends  decided to stay single so that she can take care of her mother. My friend is in Government Service therefore she is a beneficiary of Central Government Health Service (CGHS), for which she is paying every month a sum of an amount. Since, her mother is dependent on her because she has no income of her own, therefore, as per the prevalent rules, her mother is also a beneficiary of  CGHS facility. 

        The CGHS has empaneled many private hospitals to facilitate the beneficiaries so that the burden on government hospitals can be reduced. The CGHS beneficiaries can access to these private hospitals with a prior permission of the Chief Medical Officer of the CGHS Dispensary which are now called Wellness Centres.  

          Her mother is in her late 70s and has developed a very weak immune system,  therefore she requires supplements frequently.  My friend took her mother to a Private Hospital which is empaneled by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the CGHS and she took a proper permission from the Chief Medical Officer of the Wellness Centre of the area she resides.😌

                The Private Hospital, after examining her mother, prescribed a Calcium which normally our CGHS wellness centers do not prescribe. These wellness centres prescribe only common medicines such as Shellcal or Gemcal. As the common Shellcal or Gemcal etc. had no effects on her mother. Now, her ordeal to get the medicine from the Wellness Centre, starts.😕😕

        When she approached the the CMO of Wellness Centre of her area, the CMO refused to issue the medicine prescribed by the private hospital which she had visited with the prior permission of the Chief Medical Officer. (This is a common practice, normally we don't get medicines prescribed by the Private hospitals, we are either issued the substitutes or we are asked to get the name changed of the medicine.) Some the medicines  were costly, therefore the Chief Medical Officer  suggested her to go the headquarters of  CGHS for recommendation.

            She sent her nephew to the headquarters as she had some important assignments at her office. But, this boy shuttled like a shuttle cock between various counters one after another without any result, whole day. He got so much frustrated because he had taken leave from his college.🥴🥴

       Later on, my friend  took the challenge to get the recommendation for the medicine. Again she was subjected to the mental as well as physical torture. She was also directed to contact the other counters. Somehow, she managed to get to reach the Head of Department.  The Head of Department told her that recommendation is very much in the domain of the Chief Medical Officer of the Wellness Centre. Why she had come here. My friend told him vehemently that it was the Chief Medical Officer who refused to issue the medicine and asked her to come to the Headquarters. 😞😖

       Initially, the Head of Department also refused to recommend the medicine. She then argued with the Head of Department and told him that she approached the empaneled private hospital with the prior approval of the Chief Medical Officer.🥵🥶

          After, 15 minutes of arguments with the Head of Department, she was recommended the prescribed medicine.

        This is the way our Health Services function.  If this is happening with the educated and privileged class then we can very well imagine the plight of uneducated and under privileged class.😠😡

      Sadly, there is no respect for life in our country.😓😥😢😰

Simla then and now Shimla

Few years back when I visited one of our offices in Shimla I saw a desk calendar published by Centre for Skill development & Engineering Consultancy, The Institution of Engineers (India).  

The calendar has pictures of Shimla taken earlier and pictures of same places, taken in 2017.  

This calendar is a treat to my eyes as the Old fascinates me.  

I asked my colleague whether he has another copy of the calendar, but to my amusement he handed over his calendar to me.

  Nice of him and many many thanks to him.

I thought of sharing these pictures on this page and also sharing the information about these places which was printed on the calendar.

The Christ Church on the Ridge

These are two pictures of the Christ Church.  The black and white picture was taken in 1857, the year in which it was opened.   The Christ Church, Shimla built in the Neo-Gothic style in 1857, to serve the Anglican British community, the the second oldest church in northern India.  The Church is situated at The Ridge.

This Church was designed by Colonel J. T. Boileau in 1844. It took 11 years to complete the church. The clock adorning Church was donated by Colonel Dumbleton in 1860.  The Porch was added in 1973.  Five fine stained glass windows represent the Christian virtue of Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude, Patience and Humility. 

The coloured picture of Church taken in 2017, shows mushrooming of concrete jungle in the backdrop of the Christ Church.

The Oldest Post Office in Northern India

The following picture is of Post Office in Shimla.  This is the oldest post office in Northern India, Shimla.  General Post Office (GPO) was constructed in 1882 on the site of a tailor's shop known as the Conny Cottage and this building of Post Office was also known as Conny Cottage.  It was purchased from a person named Mr. Peterson.  The building of the Shimla GPO is a timber framed structure which is an eclectic mix of part-Alpine, part-Gothic and the part-Tudor styles.

The first Post Master of this post office was Mr. F. Dalton and Mr. L. Piggot was the last Post Master of British Era who retired in December, 1946.

In 1992, the Shimla GPO was declared as one of the six heritage Post Office building in India.

The design of the post office changed with the passage of time and as per the needs, which can be seen in the following pictures

The Lakkar Bazaar

The Lakkar Bazaar is a market place extending toward the north-eastern side beyond the Ridge. It is famous for wooden toys made by a small group of Sikh carpenters who settled there a century ago from Hoshiarpur a district in Punjab.  

It has a wide range of artefacts, pashmina shawls, woollens and handicrafts to offer to its visitors.  The old building of the Regal Cinema, located here was once called the Theater of Prince of Wales.  The famous Roller Skating Rink is located in this building.

This Lakkar Bazaar reminds me of my first visit to this British Era Summer Capital in December, 1987.  One can find beautiful pieces of utensils, jewellery  boxes and the famous key rings, wall hangings made of wood.

The famous painting of Sohni Mahiwal, the legendary lovers of Punjab, which was initially painted by Sir Sobha Singh, is replicated on these small pieces of wood.

Shimla in 1884 and .......🔻

.......Shimla in 2017. Trees have gone. Small houses now replaced with concrete buildings.  The Christ Church standing as witness

Shabbily erected Concrete jungle over the hills🔰😢

Horse Carriage or Rickshaws loaded Ridge in Shimla in 1903......

A view of Mount Jakhoo in 1903.

Jakhoo Hill is 2.5 km east from the Ridge and at a height of 2455 meter above sea level.  An anciet Lor Hanuman temple is there and every year a big festival is held on Dussehra.  In Hindu Mythology, the flat summit of Jakhoo Hill Shimla was caused by Lord Hanuman's sudden arrival while hunting for Sanjivani Booti to revive Lakshman.

I remember in my Hindi syllabus in Primary classes I read a chapter on Jakhoo.  In that chapter, there was a story of monkeys living and conversing with humans in their sign language.  Both understanding each other.  I forgot the chapter now but few images of the chapter are stored in my memories.

Monkeys  and other animals are living side by side with the human population but now the humans have forgotten the language with which they can converse with these creatures.

Humans have even forgotten the medium of conversation amongst themselves😒

In 2010, a giant 108 feet high idol of Hanuman was unveiled at Jakhoo, overlooking the entire city.

Annadale -  a suburb of Shimla and an army area.👇👇

There are different version in naming this area as Annadale.  One is that when British came to Shimla for its selection as Summer Capital of India, they saw this place and found it similar to Annadale valley in Dumfriesshire or County of Dumfries in Scotland, thus decided to name it Annadale.

And the second version is, when Captain Charles Pratt Kennedy visited Shimla after he was given the charge of selecting a place for summer capital of India, he was so mesmerized with its  natural beauty that he named it after his lady love Anna.  Interesting

Presently this place is being utilized as a helipad and for army exercise, parades and sports etc.

Visiting Annadale is entirely a different experience. It is so serene and peaceful that once one visits here, he forgets the hustle and bustle of cities.  This portion is one of the most beautiful places of Shimla. But here also, trees are falling and concrete jungle is coming up. 👇👇

👇👇 The Barnes Court in 1882

         Barnes Court, now commonly known as Raj Bhawan or Governor's house derives its name from Sir Edward Barnes, British Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army (1831-1833).  This Tudor style heritage building is an architectural marvel spread over an area of 9,647 sqmt.  The building is witness to several historical events including inking of the Shimla agreement between the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her Pakistan counterpart Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1972.  It was here that the neews of the great Uprising of 1857 was given to General Anson.

From the Literature available about this Barnes Court, it is not know from any of the official records that which Lieutenant  Governor of the Punjab, first lived  in “ Barnes Court”, yet the list of Commanders- in – Chief indicates that it was occupied by Sir Edward Barnes in  1832. After a break, from 1849 to 1864, it was again the residence of  various British Commanders-in- Chief, General Napier, General Gomm, General Anson, General Campbell and General Rose. 

The Barnes Court in 2017👇👇
                                   

The Shimla Mall in 1890 👆👆

Mall Road once regarded as Fine Street of London, is social lifeline and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Shimla.  The traffic less road is located over a stretch of 5 Kms.  The main shopping hub is about 1.5 kms and have restaurants, bars, cyber cafes, banks, hotels, clubs besides General Post Office, Municipal Corporation and office of Fire Services.

The Mall Road was constructed during British Colonial Rule under supervision of Lord Lytton, it is located a level below the ridge.

Earlier, it feels good to roam on the Mall Road but now it is so much crowded that one can not move without rubbing shoulders with others.

The Shimla Mall in 2017👇👇

The Oakover -  
Oakover, is one of the earlier houses built in Shimla. This is the Official Residence of the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister.  a historic building, was once a residence of the rich and powerful Maharaja of Patiala.  Earlier, Patiala was a princely state till 1947.  There is an interesting story that why the erstwhile Maharaja of Patiala was banned to visit Shimla during the Colonial Raj after which he built a bunglow at Chail in Himachal Pradesh.  And from this bunglow he can overlook this summer capital  as it was at a higher location.

Overcast heavily with oak trees all around, this sprawling mansion has two gates.  The stretch of road alongside the mansion between Chota Shimla and Shimla was once upon a time referred as the 'Khyber Pass'  

The bifurcation near the eastern gate leads to the Raj Bhawan on one side and Civil Secretariat on the other. 

The Oakover in 1903🔻

The Oakover in 2017🔰🔰

The Kalka Shimla Railway -

The Kalka - Shimla Railway was started in 1903 to connect Shimla with the rest of the India rail system. Initially it was proposed to build 2 ft narrow guage track which was increased to 2 ft 6in (762 mm) later on.

The Chief Engineer of the project was H. S. Herrington.  The construction was started by privately funded Delhi-Ambala-Kalka Railway Company.  Later on when it became difficult for the company to manage it, the government purchased it on 1 January 1906 for 17,107,748 rupees.

At the time of construction, 107 tunnels and 864 bridges were built. Now it has has 20 beautiful stations, 103 tunnels, 912 curves, 969 bridges. The train has an average speed of 25 - 30 km per hour.  

Bridge No. 541 is the Highest Arch Gallary Bridge.

This toy train starts from Kalka, a foothill in the Shivalik Range and runs through Taksal, Gumman, Koti, Sonwara, Dharampur, Kumarhatti, Barog, Solan, Salogra, Kandaghat, Kanoh, Kathleeghat, Shoghi, Taradevi, Jatogh, Summerhills before it completes its journey at Shimla.

There are five toy trains on this route and these are:-
1️⃣  Kalka - Shimla Passenger which starts at 3.30 and reaches          Shimla at 8.55
2️⃣  Shivalik Deluxe Express which starts at 5.45 and reaches           Shimla at 10.35
3️⃣  Kalka - Shimla NG Express which starts at 6.20 and                   reaches Shimla at 11.35 
4️⃣  Him Darshan Express which starts at 7.00 and reaches                Shimla at 12.55
5️⃣   Himalyan Queen which starts at 12.10 and reaches                       Shimla at 17.30

This Railway was declared a heritage by the Himachal Pradesh Government in 2007 and in 2008 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site

A feel pride that I have travelled in this train twice. During Monsoon season, travelling in this train is a wonderful experience. 

It is good that the number of coaches have been increased in this train.  This Arch Gallery Bridge now looks very beautiful the way it is being maintained.

The Viceregal Lodge -

The Viceregal Lodge as impressive as its name was a summer residence of Viceroys during Colonial Rule of British. Later on, in 1947 it became The Rashtrapati Niwas (Residence of President of India) for summers as the Presidents of Independent India also followed the British tradition which ended in 1960. 

It stands on the Observatory Hill which is the second highest point in Shimla.  This Lodge was designed by British architect Henry Irwin and built in Jacobethan stle during the regime of Lord Dufferin.  Its construction started in 1880 and was completed in 1888.  

Lord Dufferin occupied the Lodge on July 23, 1888. In 1960s the builidng was handed over to the Institute of Advane Studies.  It houses some of the most ancient articles and rare photographs going back to the times of the British rule in India

This Lodge is a witness of two major conferences which were held in 1945 and 1946 under its roof.

Even today it stands impressively but sad to see that trees and other plants have vanished with the passage of time😢🤔

After seeing these pictures it can be assessed that how we have changed.  The sense of dressing has changed drastically keeping the pace with the vanishing natural resources as well as human values. We have outgrown in number thrown every thing in margin, on this planet which I feel is not a development.

During one of our visits to Shimla, my sister purchased the black and white pictures of Shimla for her drawing room.

All these pictures are available at Himachal Studio, The Mall Shimla (Pictures of Past) and Studio 7, The Mall Shimla (Pictures of Present)