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Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Khaleej Times
Kasauli travel guide: Top things to do in Himachal's quiet hill town
Spooky stories abound in Kasauli of ghosts that linger in its hauntingly beautiful, colonial-era cemeteries. However, beyond those relics of the Raj, Kasauli (located 77 km from Shimla) is draped in a beguiling aura of a town that hasn't lost its soul. Yet the charming Himalayan retreat, located in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, remains under the radar for most tourists. They head there only for a weekend getaway and a quick reset or skip it in favour of the more 'happening' Shimla, Naldehra and Chail. On a typical Kasauli vacation, the days pass by in a blur of invigorating walks that unravel up and down the hills, shaded by pine, elm and oak and twist past gabled homes with fairy-tale facades and chimneys. In the higher reaches, majestic cedars reach for the sky. On a recent vacation, we downed coffee in atmospheric cafes, gorged on local specialities like bun samosas simmering on a large pan in an immaculate hole-in-the wall eatery in the Heritage Market; took home rum plum cakes studded with shaved nuts from a local bakery and meditated in the neo-Gothic Christ Church with its stained glass and wood pews. Back in the day, the British built Christ Church and a brewery which they later converted to a distillery to produce a malt whisky as smooth as Scotch whisky. The combo of church and brewery may contribute to an interesting bit of trivia, shared by historian and author Raaja Bhasin. 'Kasauli today is believed to have one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption, per capita, in India.' (A sobering sidelight — the brewery closed down in the 1840s and was later taken over by master brewer Edward Dyer. His son, Reginald was the infamous 'Butcher of Amritsar' who triggered the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919.) And Kasauli's birth around 1842 was underscored by typical stiff-upper-lip Brit humour, Bhasin recounts: When the town was getting under way, the Viceroy of India, Sir John Lawrence who was known for his bluntness, visited the church. Sir John felt a great deal of money had been spent, and, in his opinion, wasted on the steeple. He was asked to subscribe to it. There were still no pews, in the church then and he remarked, 'You might as well ask me to subscribe to get a man a hat when he has no breeches.' 'That church went on to become Kasauli's landmark, the neo-Gothic Christ Church that with both hat and trousers — and if a limited congregation — still stands tall as you enter the little town,' adds Bhasin in a light-hearted vein. Indeed, this charming Himalayan enclave is one of the few Raj-era hill retreats in the country where time is not of the essence. We could see its lights glimmer at night from the balcony of our room at hilltop resort Royalpine Rosastays. Kasauli was 4 km away, straddling a ridge of the Himalayas, lit and flushed every evening with muted red by dramatic sunsets that even dappled the barks of pines. And, at our resort, sculpted into a hill, clad with imported pinewood and glass, there were echoes of Kasauli. Not a single tree had been cut and it was enveloped in the soft rustle of pines. Royalpines Rosastays gentles the Earth from which it emerges and its rooms and suites have a log-cabin like aura. Yes, there's something special about Kasauli, loved to death, not surprisingly, by its former and present residents. Located at 1,900 metres above sea level, the mountaintop getaway is an army cantonment town where the legacies of the Raj are immaculately maintained, says Rahul Singh, author, journalist and founder of the coveted Khushwant Singh Literary Festival, held in Kasauli in October each year. Rahul is the son of celebrated writer, Khushwant Singh and has been summering in his ancestral home in Kasauli since the 1950s. While home stays and hotels have sprung up on the adjacent hill slopes, Kasauli town has strict building codes enforced by the Cantonment Board, a municipal body, says Rahul. The air in Kasauli is crisp and astringent, and the views are breathtaking. The eternal snows of the Greater Himalayas glimmer in the north and sweep in a swathe to the east, and the plains of the Punjab, below it, heave from south to the west. The pine-shrouded hills seem to fan romance and creativity. Writer Khushwant Singh did some of his best work in Kasauli and was often seen taking long walks and chatting with locals. Author Ruskin Bond was born in Kasauli and Sandra Hotz, whose father owned the 19th century Alasia hotel in town, married David Lean, director of classics such as Dr Zhivago, The Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia, Rahul informed us. She was Lean's fifth wife and is known as 'Kasauli's best known export'. The marriage lasted for three tumultuous years but the relationship had started much earlier. We attempted to walk down the 1.5 km long Gilbert Trail which scythes through rustling pines and commands heart-stopping views of the tumbled swathe of the foothills, but gave up after a while. The fit and feisty could attempt the around 12-km-long Khushwant Singh Trail from the bazaar down to Kalka in the plains, a stretch that was beloved of the celebrated writer and journalist for its mountain vistas and bird song. In the pulsing heart of Kasauli are two roads — the Upper and Lower Mall and they meet at the eastern end at Monkey Point below which unfold magnificent panoramas. Walking up and down the malls was once a mandatory mid-morning activity when residents got to socialise followed by an afternoon siesta, and dinner at the colonial Kasauli Club (only a member can sign you in). As is the tradition, in most colonial clubs, there is a strict dress code. We, as tourists, did not have the bona fides nor the right shoes and were not allowed into the hallowed precincts but were permitted to click pictures of the exterior! So, we retreated to our hotel, Royalpine Rosastays, sipped our evening cuppa, watching the sun play hide and seek and scintillate as it set over Kasauli and the neighbouring hills and valleys. On our last day, we woke up at dawn as birds trilled in the pine forests beyond.
India Today
16-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- India Today
Heatwave action plan: How to avoid AC blast, reduce electricity bill this summer, check full steps here
As the summer sun cranks up over Indian, the northern parts of the country are feeling the heat. Like literally. It is hot. Now, high temperatures mean the doors of your room will be shut, and the air conditioner will become your best friend. But this comfort can turn your electricity bill red-hot, draining your monthly not the worst part. Improper use of AC can even lead to serious incidents like electrical fires — or 'AC blasts.' Last year, we reported many cases of ACs bursting in homes and residential areas. So how do you stay cool without switching off the AC entirely?advertisementWell, here's a quick 6-point heatwave plan to keep your home cosy and cool — without burning a hole in your wallet.1. Take care of your AC Even if it's a machine with no heart, your AC still needs care. Overuse definitely wears down its functioning, and when you skip maintenance or if you overload it, you're asking for trouble. Always get your AC serviced before summer begins. A dirty filter or clogged coils can lead to overheating, which, in extreme cases, can trigger short circuits. So cleaning and caring is step keep the power load separate. Never plug your AC into a shared extension cord with a fridge or microwave. Use a dedicated power point with proper earthing to evenly distribute the electrical load.2. 24 degrees is the sweet spotadvertisementSetting your AC to 18 degrees C won't turn your room into Shimla any faster — it'll only make your AC work harder and your electricity bill soar. According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, 24 degrees C is the recommended temperature. Additionally, every degree lower than 24 increases your energy consumption by 6 per 24 degrees is considered comfortable for humans, power-efficient, and kind to your health — offering the balance between comfort and energy efficiency.3. Fan plus AC is the power duoThink turning on the ceiling fan is pointless when the AC is on? Think again. Using a fan alongside your AC helps circulate the cool air faster, so you don't end up feeling cold in one spot and warm in another. The fan helps your AC cool the room evenly — it's the OG power-saving duo.4. Curtain up the roomSunlight might be great for selfies, but not for your room temperature. So when you turn on the AC, close the curtains during the day to block the heat. You can also install reflective window films to bounce that heat right back outside. And make sure to close the doors and windows — or else the cool air will escape, and hot air from outside will sneak in, making your AC work harder.5. Switch to a Energy Star machineadvertisementStill using that old AC from 2010? That machine is probably guzzling electricity. Modern 5-star rated ACs consume up to 50 per cent less power. Even a 4-star one is a good upgrade based on your budget. Simply put, the more the stars, the less energy it uses — and the more you save.6. Timer and Sleep ModeIf you're the kind who turns the AC on all day and forgets even if you are not in the room, It's time to change that habit. Only turn on the AC when required and while sleeping use the timer or sleep mode. This mode allows the AC to gradually increase the temperature while you sleep, ensuring comfort without constant cooling. It can also be set to turn off automatically after 6 to 8 hours.
Hans India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Bhupesh Baghel questions Centre over US mediation
Senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday demanded a reply from the ruling Central government, asking if the Shimla pact is lying in tatters and has it been undermined while India has accepted the third-party mediation on Kashmir. Baghel urged the government to convene a special session of Parliament and an all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also laid strong emphasis on the need for greater transparency in the recent ceasefire decision announced by the US President, before any formal statement from the Indian government. Baghel raised critical concerns regarding the ceasefire agreement, demanding answers from the government on whether India had accepted third-party mediation on Kashmir, potentially 'undermining' the longstanding Shimla Agreement. He questioned whether India had succumbed to external pressure and called for clarity on the matter. Baghel recalled the resilience displayed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the 1971 war, when she stood firm against the US pressure and led India to victory against Pakistan. He asserted that the Congress party continues to uphold the same principles, ensuring that nationalism prevails over political opportunism in the fight against terrorism. Speaking on the party's unwavering commitment to national security, Baghel highlighted Congress's proactive steps during the crisis, including the 'Jai Hind Yatras' organised across the country to honour the courage of the armed forces and pay tribute to victims of terrorism. He contrasted this with the BJP's (Bhartiya Janata Party) alleged political manoeuvring, stating that while Congress prioritised national unity, the ruling party remained focused on partisan interests. He also sought clarity on the terms of the agreement and what concessions, if any, had been made to Pakistan. To ensure accountability, Baghel urged the government to convene a special session of Parliament and an all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stressed that the Indian public deserves to know whether the country's foreign policy has shifted under international pressure. Reaffirming Congress's stance, Baghel concluded by stating that the party will continue to fight against terrorism with determination and will never allow India's sovereignty to be compromised.
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
32 airports, shut during India-Pak conflict, to open soon. Check full list
The airports across India that were shut during the military conflict with Pakistan are now being reopen, after both the countries reached a ceasefire agreement. The airspace curbs were put in place after Indian forces hit nine terror sites in Pakistan on May 7 under Operation Sindoor, which was followed by a four-day military confrontation between the two countries. However, on May 10, both India and Pakistan came to a mutual understanding of ceasing fire across land, water and sea, which was briefly violated by Pakistan, prompting a strong statement from India. As many as 32 airports across India are currently shut and 25 flight routes are closed for operation. While the airspace curbs were initially meant to be in place till Saturday morning, they were later extended till 5.29 am on May 15. 1. Adhampur 2. Ambala 3. Amritsar 4. Awantipur 5. Bathinda 6. Bhuj 7. Bikaner 8. Chandigarh 9. Halwara 10. Hindon 11. Jaisalmer 12. Jammu 13. Jamnagar 14. Jodhpur 15. Kandla 16. Kangra (Gaggal) 17. Keshod 18. Kishangarh 19. Kullu Manali (Bhuntar) 20. Leh 21. Ludhiana 22. Mundra 23. Naliya 24. Pathankot 25. Patiala 26. Porbandar 27. Rajkot (Hirasar) 28. Sarsawa 29. Shimla 30. Srinagar 31. Thoise 32. Uttarlai
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan urges Trump to step in as peacemaker as tensions with India rise
Pakistan has reportedly urged the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to help defuse tensions with India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. In an interview with Newsweek magazine, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, called Kashmir the 'flashiest flashpoint" in global geopolitics and the root cause of tensions with India. Sheikh added that Donald Trump should intervene. 'If we have a president who is standing for peace in the world as a pronounced objective during this administration, to establish a legacy as a peacemaker — or as someone who finished wars, defied wars and played a role in de-confliction, resolving the disputes — I don't think there is any higher or flashier flash point, particularly in nuclear terms, as Kashmir," Newsweek quoted Sheikh as saying. "We are not talking about one or two countries in that neighbourhood who are nuclear capable. So, that is how grave it is," he added, referring to China, India and Pakistan. While India has always adhered to the Shimla Agreement of 1972, which stipulates that all issues between the two countries should be resolved bilaterally, Pakistan has time and again dragged one nation or the other to become a mediator in the Kashmir issue. Islamabad had also threatened to pull out of the Shimla agreement altogether after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. Several Pakistani politicians have claimed that an Indian military action was 'imminent' and have been creating a hysteria of war for the past few days. A group of terrorists attacked tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam last week, killing 26 people, including 25 Indian nationals. Since then, tensions have been high between India and Pakistan, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi giving the armed forces full operational freedom to choose the time, target and mode of the country's response. This comes after the union government put out several measures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. Pakistan, in anticipation of an Indian military action, has deployed large numbers of troops along the LoC and the International border. Several Chinese howitzers, air defence systems are also said to be in place. It has also violated the ceasefire along the LoC for seven straight days till Thursday.
