Dateline Mussoorie: ‘The Echoes of Landour: A Resonant Longing’ by twins Raghav A Bijalwan & Raj A Bijalwan was released in Mussoorie today. Chief Guest at the event was Municipal Chairperson Meera Saklani, special guests included writer Ganesh Saili, Former IG BSF Manoranjan Tripathi, Former Municipal President Manmohan Singh Mall, Former Municipal President OP Uniyal, Mussoorie BJP Mandal President Rajat Agarwal and the authors grandmother Anjali Bijalwan.
The young talented poets fourth poetry book is a heartfelt tribute to their hometown Mussoorie. Titles such as Come, Walk with Me!, “Be Quiet”, Where Would the Road Lead?, Grieve Not, O Queen; Scars of Landour; We’ve Had a History to Share; Spare us some Silence, express the anguish and pain the authors feel for a place they call Home. They stated, “Mussoorie is not only a tourist destination but also a historical city, but the present plight of our hometown inspired us to write poetry.”
The event brought together writers, teachers, students, residents and admirers of the town’s cultural heritage. Through their poems, the poets highlighted the challenges that are threatening the city’s identity, while also celebrating the eternal beauty of Mussoorie.
Author Ganesh Saili congratulated the young men on their work stating, “Hats off you two for continuing to write with such passion. That is amazing and a special thanks to your mother and grandmother who have encouraged you to keep writing.’
Over 160 pages the poets stress on the need of the hour for citizen participation in saving what remains of the Queen of Hills. They hope that their compositions will serve as a reminder to the custodians of their beloved town. They urge its residents to consider a common approach to preserve the cultural tradition and heritage of Mussoorie, a message that resonates throughout the book.
They end their book with lines of wisdom and hope for the future:
“For in the darkness, a light will shine,
And guide our town back to glory divine.
Like a phoenix, the town will rise again,
The Queen will reign again.”
