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NEET Cracked on the First Attempt After 18 Years

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Dr. Deepika Khanduja

Dehradun: A dream of pursuing medicine once remained unfulfilled by a margin of just three marks. Then came marriage, motherhood and growing family responsibilities. Yet, she never let go of her dream. Nearly 18 years later, she picked up her books again, began preparing for NEET and successfully qualified the examination on her very first attempt, securing an MBBS seat at Dehradun Medical College under the Uttarakhand State Quota.

This is the inspiring story of Dr. Deepika Khanduja, who currently works as a Stroke Counsellor in the Department of Neurology at Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS), Jolly Grant.
A Dream Lost by Three Marks, But Not the Determination
Dr. Deepika pursued her BDS from 2008 to 2013. At the time, she aspired to advance in the medical field and become a physician specialising in neurology. However, she fell short of qualifying for the medical entrance examination by just three marks.
She got married in 2016, and following the birth of her son, her family responsibilities increased. While many may have chosen to leave an unfinished dream behind at such a stage in life, Dr. Deepika chose otherwise.
She took the first step towards realising her dream by joining the Department of Neurology at HIMS Jolly Grant as a Stroke Counsellor under an ICMR project.
HIMS Provided the Guidance That Gave Her Dream a New Direction
While working in the Department of Neurology, senior neurologist Dr. Deepak Goel recognised her potential and eagerness to learn. Dr. Deepika recalls that Dr. Goyal consistently encouraged her to prepare again for the medical entrance examination and pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. Her parents, family members and colleagues also supported and motivated her throughout the journey.
However, preparing for NEET again after a gap of nearly 18 years was far from easy. She describes the experience as being “like digging through a mountain.” Balancing studies with family and other responsibilities, she continued to work hard. Her perseverance eventually paid off. Dr. Deepika qualified NEET on her very first attempt and secured a good rank, earning an MBBS seat at Dehradun Medical College under the Uttarakhand State Quota.
“One Examination Does Not Decide Your Life”
Dr. Deepika’s achievement comes at a time when the recent NEET results and several unfortunate incidents linked to examination pressure have prompted society and parents to reflect deeply on the issue. Deepika says that feeling stressed about examinations is natural, but failure should never be considered a failure of life. Sometimes, reaching a goal takes time; the path may have to change, and at times, one may have to begin again.
Meditation and positive thinking became her strength
Dr. Deepika credits spiritual discipline and positive thinking as important factors in her success. Before examinations, she practised meditation and believes that along with studying, it is equally important to keep the mind calm and balanced.
She also attributes her success to the teachings and initiations of Brahmaleen Dr. Swami Rama, Founder of HIHT. She believes that maintaining mental balance during difficult circumstances and having faith in her goal gave her the strength to keep moving forward.
Dr. Vijay Dhasmana, President, Swami Rama Himalayan University, congratulated Dr. Deepika Khanduja on her remarkable achievement. He said that her success demonstrates that with strong determination, consistent hard work and the right guidance, even the most difficult goals can be achieved.
He further said that students should not consider examinations to be the final destination in life. Success or failure in any examination does not determine a person’s complete potential or future. Students should take care of their mental health and move forward with a positive outlook.

Poems Across Time: One Family, Three Voices

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Dr. Sanjeev Chopra
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Poems Across Time

By: Dr DP Acharya, Bibhu Acharya (Ed.), Ansuman Acharya

This is a remarkable collection of intergenerational and intercontinental poems from the distinguished Acharya family. Edited by Bibhu Acharya, who is well-known to readers for his hard-hitting cartoons on contemporary polity, as well as for his book of cartoons on his life as a civil servant titled Obtuse Angle. This slender volume is a tribute to his late lamented brother Dr DP Acharya — a surgeon who died at the young age of forty-five in the year 2000.  In addition to DP and Bibhu, the third contributor is DP Acharya’s son Ansuman, now settled in the US.

The genesis of Poems Across Time lies in the discovery of Dr DP Acharya’s  blue diary, with his poems written from the late 90s, during a spring cleaning by  Bibhu’s wife Ranjeev last year in 2025.  This set the editor thinking that there was something literally “Akshar” (eternal) about poetry, and perhaps the time had come  for 35 of DP’s poems  to reach a wider audience.  These  are contained in the section “One with the Ocean”: ‘In the  tumultuous waves of/ Brahma’s ocean/ your image you see/ in the ocean itself,/ You were meant to be / Vast and serene’. The God of Creation, Brahma appears in another one of DP’s poems titled “The Awakening” where he writes: ‘Eternal awaiting,/ Eternal awakening…/ Someday when/ Brahma creates the earth…’

From the same section, let me also share the poem “Time Waits at Times”, about rivers and love. Though  all rivers flow into the ocean, love lives on!  ‘Life is a river,/ It flows…/ Love flows on,/ with loving memories,/ of great times,/ we shared in the/ Year that is passing’. In other words, while it is impossible for a river to retrace her path, our memories can and often do travel back in introspection, in anticipation of friendly tidings.

We now come to Bibhu’s  57 poems in the section “Caught in Passing”. Many of these poems were written in a journal presented to him by Ranjeev. These are reflective of how a bureaucrat walks the tightrope of political pressure and public expectations while trying to keep his conscience (and humor) steady.

I will start with the poem “Tribute to Tibet”, for as I discovered during my research on maps and milestones in the making of India’s history, Tibet had disappeared from the cartographic imagination of India from 1952  to 1959. That is why Bibhu writes, ‘If you can’t still find it,/ in the atlas/ Look within / For it is / A state of mind…’

In October 1999 when the tsunami wreaked havoc in Bibhu’s Janmabhoomi  of Odisha, he wrote: ‘The cyclone cleared everything/ cobwebs and concerns,/ Miseries and Milestones, Beliefs and Bridges/as, if/clearing the deck/ for a new  beginning in the Millennium.

On February 1st, 2023, Bibhu penned his tribute to Kalpana Chawla. Called “Lost in Space”, it reads, ‘Don’t look for/ in the debris scattered/ over the sands of Texas,/ Look up and find her/ if you can, among the Brightest of stars, twinkling / High above in the sky… ‘

Every batch of the IAS returns to the Academy, time and again, to mark their Silver, Ruby and Golden reunions. In August 2008, when his batch  came for its Silver Jubilee, Bibhu wrote an “Autumn Sonata”: ‘Twenty-five summers, and winters,/and a few seasons of spring, too…/ As we approach the autumn/ looking back with nostalgia,/ on the journey that/ began in the balmy climes of/ Charle Ville nestled in the/ Blue mountains of Mussoorie.’

Bibhu’s mentor and guide,  the Odiya poet Padmashri Chandrashekhar Rath, to whom he has dedicated this section of poetry, was  indeed quite  impressed with this poem, which includes a wry note on evolution: ‘Metamorphosed from skinny youngsters/ with eyes fired by idealism/ Into overweight hypertensive/ pragmatic pen-pushers/ with dissipating spines. Rath’s comments on this poem are worthy of recall: ‘Late in the afternoon,/ floats a forgotten note on the flute/across misty valleys unknown/ luring you to dreams,/ softly breaking the silences/ From the depths of sleep.’

The third section is by the 1987-born Ansuman Acharya. Born in Bhubaneshwar, educated at NIT Rourekela and the University of Washington at Seattle, his interests cover a wide spectrum: from poetry to music to nature trails and the lead singer in the Nirvana inspired  The Neverminds band in his karmabhoomi of Seattle. In the introduction to his section “Mundane to the Monumental”, Ansuman questions what it means to belong. What does it cost to dream? And most importantly, when does the ordinary become extraordinary?

The opening with “Gratitude Unbound” takes us back to his father’s poem on the Ocean: ‘Sat by the ocean, blowing with the breeze,/ obsessed with progress , this day we must seize…/ if and but, how and when , pensive pangs of indecision/will they thwart, or  eventually aid our mission/

Wisdom does not necessarily come from well known seers , or self-help books. For to Ansuman, the best life lessons  came from a conversation with an Uber driver. He writes, ‘As with most wise men, he had travelled far and wide,/ and spent his life with purposeful action,/ by humans and nature alike…/ curiosity, erudition and courage encumbered his tales,/ as I carefully listened , his voice rang my mind’s bells…’  He goes on, ‘He taught me to be my better self ,/one that only gushes with peace,/contentment and ambition balanced with ease.’

Now these are powerful words to reflect on: if one can achieve this balance of contentment and ambition, one is a Karamyogi in the trust sense of the term. Thank you, Bibhu, for resurrecting the poems of your brother – the Independence generation, and connecting us to the world of the  millennials.

Successful conclusion of ‘Sahitya Spriha’

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Authors, Moderators in full attendance at Sahitya Spriha, 2026
Devendra Mawadi’s session with Dr Sushil Upadhyay

Devendra Mewari discussed his autobiographical non-fiction work *Yayavar Ki Yaadein* with Sushil Upadhyay, returning to memories of his childhood, literary journeys, encounters with renowned litterateurs, deliberate effort to blend science and literature, and much more. In conversation with Someshwar Pandey about her translation of Samantha Harvey’s Booker-Prize winning novel *Orbital*, Kumari Rohini explained the choice behind retaining the English title in her Hindi edition as well as various other themes including global politics and community. From *Paandaan* author Mujtaba Khan with Anjum Sharma spoke of the joys of storytelling, the words we inherit, and differences of pronounciation.

In the fourth panel with Shailendra Kant discussing Navneet Neerav’s book for young adults, *Naach*, the author shared his understanding of social stereotypes, gender expectations, and issues of identity. To conclude the day in conversation with Sachin Chauhan, translator Suchita Mittal read an excerpt from *Daakini* (originally written by N. Hari Kumar) and shared her thoughts with the audience on the differences between traditional and contemporary society, especially regarding their perceptions of women.
Each session featured two students from Welham Girls’ School as interlocutors, and the young students hosted the event over both days. Students from Aasra, HimJyoti School, Purukul Youth Foundation, Welham Boys, Doon School etc were also in attendance, and asked insightful questions as part of the audience. Students had the opportunity to engage directly with the authors and have their books signed.
In the valedictory session, Lakshmi Shankar Bajpai highlighted the enduring contribution of literature, while Sudha Rani Pandey noted the contributions of Sanskrit to Hindi literature and commended all the authors on their books and contributions. Both also congratulated the organizers on the successful event.
Sanjeev Chopra commended the efforts of VoW and Welhams Team for putting together the Hindi Vertical for this tenth edition, Dasham, of the Valley of Words. Welham Girls’ Principal Vibha Kapoor described the event as a unique experience for the school and concluded the proceedings by expressing a desire to host the second edition of ‘Sahitya Spriha’ next year.

Making Molehills of Mountains interconnects climate change, communities & constitutional rights

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Book launch of 3rd Edition of the third edition of Making Molehills of Mountains, published by SDC Foundation

Dateline Dehradun: The third edition of Making Molehills of Mountains, published by SDC Foundation and Messrs Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, was launched today at Doon Library and Research Centre. The book, carrying the theme “Communities and Constitutional Rights in the Times of Climate Crisis,” brings together the interconnected questions of climate change, communities and constitutional rights in the context of Uttarakhand’s development and disaster narrative.

The third book in the Making Molehills of Mountains Series analyses 98 news reports of the key climate disasters drawn from the 12 monthly reports of January to December compiled under the Uttarakhand Disaster and Accident Analysis Initiative (UDAAI) for 2025. SDC had earlier brought out “Demystifying Disasters in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand” in 2023 and “Tales of Uttarakhand’s Climate Crisis and an Uncertain Development Model” in 2024 under the Molehills Series.

The foreword to the 2025 book has been written by Dr Sanjeev Chopra, former Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.

The analysis of the key 2025 climate disasters in Uttarakhand identifies five major red flags or patterns emerging from Uttarakhand’s recurring disasters, with leading experts contributing essays examining each concern.

The first red flag—“Chronic administrative delay, fragmented governance and accountability deficit in disaster prevention”—has been examined by Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, former Union Minister for Human Resource Development. The second, “Emergence of urban and semi-urban disaster landscapes,” has been addressed by urban thinker and architect Jagan Shah.

The third concern, “Glacial lakes, cryosphere change and the illusion of preparedness,” has been analysed by Dr Manish Mehta of the Wadia Institute. Dr Lokesh Ohri examines the fourth red flag, “Infrastructure-induced disaster risk and the crisis of mobility,” while Vaibhav Kala of Aquaterra Adventures addresses the fifth: “Ecological burden of mass tourism in a fragile Himalayan landscape.”

Keeping with the book’s focus on the “third C”—Constitution—the publication also examines the legal and constitutional dimensions of Uttarakhand’s development challenges. Aditya Rawat of UPES University writes on environmental laws and legislation in Uttarakhand over the past 25 years, while Gautam Kumar of UPES University examines delimitation from the perspective of Uttarakhand and its persistent migration problem. Prerna Raturi contributes a perspective rooted in the lived experience of a local resident of a hill station.

Introducing the programme, Chandra Shekhar Tiwari of Doon Library and Research Centre welcomed the participants. The programme was moderated by Dinesh Semwal of SDC Foundation.

The editors, Prerna Raturi introduced the book, while Anoop Nautiyal spoke on the importance of mainstreaming climate change, communities and constitutional concerns in Uttarakhand’s development narrative.

Contributors Dr Manish Mehta, Dr Lokesh Ohri and Gautam Kumar spoke about the issues explored in their respective contributions to the book. Abhimanyu Gehlot delivered the vote of thanks.

Large numbers of students and faculty members from Swami Ram Himalayan University, Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Quantum University, Doon Business School, Tula’s University, Uttaranchal University, DIT University and Doon University attended the book launch.

The launch brought together several prominent citizens including Vibha Puri Das, Aloke Lal, JP Mamgain, Kripa Nautiyal, Jagmohan Mehdirarta, Abhimanyu, Avinash Chandra Joshi, Binita Shah, Piyoosh Rautela, Major Rahul Jugran, Devendra Budakoti, Ashustoh Kandwal, Ravi Juyal, Rakesh Kapoor, Parul, Raj Mohan, Kunal Uniyal, Paramjit Kakkar, Narendra Sethi, Pawan Lalchand, Anupam Trivedi and many other PHD students and young researchers.

The editors reiterated the need for more dialogue and discussions around climate change, communities and Constitution and encouraged experts and members of the civic society to come forward and contribute with their thoughts and prospective roadmap for the way ahead.

VoW – Welham ‘Sahitya Spriha’, 2026

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VoW-Welham, 2026 hindi vertical inaugurated

Dateline Dehradun: ‘Sahitya Spriha’—a two-day literary conference organized by Valley of Words and the Sahitya Akademi—commenced at the Welham Girls’ School. Dr. Sanjeev Chopra, Festival Director of Valley of Words, and Mrs. Vibha Kapoor, Principal of Welham Girls’ School, welcomed the Hindi litterateurs who had arrived from across the country.

Young talented students perform at the hindi vertical

On the opening day, Dr. Sanjeev Chopra shed light on the objectives and history of VoW, while underscoring the festival’s commitment to providing equal encouragement to Hindi literature alongside English books and translations from the languages of India. He also shared with the young audience—through a poem by Uday Prakash—the importance of thinking, speaking, and questioning as part of the process of staying alive.

Smt. Vibha Kapoor expressed her firm commitment to promoting literature, particularly in Hindi. Among the shortlisted books, the first session focused on Manisha Kulshreshtha’s ‘Trimaya’. In conversation with Anjum Sharma, the author shed light on the environmental relationship between humans and nature, as well as the traditional structures of matriarchy and matriliny in the South and North East of India.

Meanwhile, senior poet Lakshmi Shankar Bajpai discussed the memoir ‘Chor Gali Mein Titliyan’  by veteran litterateur Jiten Thakur. The memoir addresses childhood memories, family relationships, cultural experiences, and the author’s literary journey.

Houseful at the VoW-Welham Hindi Vertical

In the third session, Jai Prakash Pandey engaged in an in-depth discussion on Pratibha Katiyar’s book, ‘Kabira Soi Peer Hai.’ The author and the moderator explored the text by examining caste, gender, and social realities within the broader context of national and global literature.

The fourth session focused on Abhay Kumar Thakur’s book, ‘Stree Asmita Ka Itihas’ (History of Women’s Identity). In conversation with Mamta Kiran, the author shared fascinating facts and perspectives spanning the spectrum from the ‘Brahmavadini’ women of ancient times to the phases of the Vedic era.

Renowned poet Dr Vinay Kumar captivated the audience during his discussion with Nalanda Pandey on the book ‘Shreyasi’ by sharing his poetry and insightful views regarding the many aspects of Saraswati.

Bharti Mishra engaged in a discussion with translator Dinkar Kumar about the book ‘Megh Malhar’—translated from Assamese to Hindi—delving into grief, along with the society and culture of Assam as well as the art of translation.

In the final book session, Anil Raturi discussed Ambar Pandey’s ‘Matlab Hindu’ in an engaging session centered on Gandhi and Hindu identity.

To conclude the event, senior poets captivated the audience with their recitations of poems, ghazals, and nazms. Further book discussions are scheduled for August 23 as part of this two-day event.

HIMS Shines in Guinness World Records

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Dr. Hemchandra Pandey, Director (Hospital Services), became an important part of a historic achievement recognised by Guinness World Records.

Dateline Doiwala: It is a proud moment for HIMS (Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences), Jolly Grant, as Dr. Hemchandra Pandey, Director (Hospital Services), became an important part of a historic achievement recognised by Guinness World Records. He, along with Dr. Abhijat Sheth (President), participated in the world record initiative. Dr.Pandey is a member of the Governing Body of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Dr. Hemchandra Pandey made a significant contribution to this historic achievement through his participation in a special live stream on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. According to the certificate issued by Guinness World Records, the live lesson on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare on YouTube set a world record for the highest number of viewers. The live stream was watched simultaneously by 17,999 viewers.

The achievement highlights the growing significance of modern technology and Artificial Intelligence in medical education and healthcare services. Dr. Pandey’s accomplishment has brought recognition not only to HIMS Jolly Grant but also to Uttarakhand on an international platform, making it a matter of pride and honour for the state.

HIMS Jolly Grant continues to advance innovation by embracing modern technologies across medical education, research and healthcare services. The national and international achievements of its faculty and medical professionals further strengthen the institution’s tradition of excellence in healthcare and academics.

1st Edition of VoW- Welham साहित्य स्पृहा

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Sachin Chauhan
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VoW-Welham साहित्य स्पृहा

Dateline Dehradun: As part of its 10th edition Dasham, this year the Valley of Words International Literature and Arts Festival is organizing its Hindi Literature Vertical ‘साहित्य स्पृहा’ under the joint aegis of the prestigious Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun, and the Sahitya Akademi.

Renowned writers, translators, thinkers, and intellectuals from across the country will participate in this literary gathering to be held at Welham Girls’ School on August 22–23 2026. Authors and translators of the five shortlisted books selected in each of the three VoW Book Award categories of Hindi Fiction, Hindi Non-fiction, and Translation from Bhashas of India into Hindi will be engaging with young minds and readers in Dehradun.

Distinguished names from the Hindi literary world such as Jiten Thakur, Manisha Kulshreshtha, Pratibha Katiyar, Abhay Kumar Thakur, Vinay Kumar, Dinkar Kumar, Ammber Ambar Pandey, Devendra Mewari, Dr. Rohini, Mujtaba Khan, Navneet Neerav, Shuchita Mittal, LS Bajpayi, Mamta Kiran, Anil Raturi, Anjum Sharma and others will take part in the event.

Speaking about the event, Dr. Sanjeev Chopra, Founding Director of VoW said, “VoW is looking forward to providing a platform for excellence in writing and translation through Sahitya Spriha, in collaboration with Welham Girls’ School and the Sahitya Akademi. The theme — ‘Beyond Words, To Ideas’ — reflects the core philosophy of the Valley of Words, for it is only through words that ideas can be expressed and through those expressions are laid the foundations of culture.”

Welham Girls’ Principal, Ms. Vibha Kapoor, stated that, “It is a matter of immense pleasure and pride for us to host ‘Sahitya Spriha’ in collaboration with Valley of Words, Union Bank of India (Dehradun Branch), and the Sahitya Akademi. Hindi is a powerful bearer of our cultural consciousness, sensibilities, and rich literary tradition. We are confident that this event, by bringing together writers, academicians, readers, and the younger generation on a shared platform, will infuse new energy into meaningful literary dialogue.”

VoW Team along with Welham Girls’ School and the Sahitya Akademi extend a warm welcome to all the invited authors and litterateurs to ‘Sahitya Spriha’—an event dedicated to the world of words, books, and dialogue.

REC-VoW announces its Shortlist for 2026

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Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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REC-VoW

Dateline Dehradun: In sync with tradition, the Valley of Words Literature and Arts Festival announced the Shortlist for the REC-VoW Book Awards 2026 to coincide with the PN Panicker National Reading Day and Digital Reading Month i.e. 19th June to 18th July.

The VoW Jury which finalizes the Shortlist comprised of previous year winners’ which included Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri for English Fiction, Soni Pande in Hindi Fiction, Sudhir Vidhyarthi for the Hindi Non-Fiction, Sulabha Kore for Hindi Anuvaad,  Kripa for Young Adult Literature, Karan Madhok for English Non-Fiction, Banibrata Mahanta for English Translation and Neil Flory for Children’s Writings/Picture Books.

The rigorous selection procedure started in February, 2026.  Over 600 books in Hindi and English were nominated to the Festival from over seventy leading publishing houses across the country. The books were read and reviewed extensively in Dehradun and then selected by our esteemed resource persons and the Jury before announcing the Shortlist of five books in each of the 8 categories.

Festival Director Dr Sanjeev Chopra stated, “The shortlist this year has been special – in terms of diversity of themes, the treatment of subjects, the forthright views on conventional subjects, and the exploration of the new. The illustrations in the Young Adult and Children Literature section embellish the text.” He further thanked the Jury stating, “We at VoW are extremely grateful to our Jury members for having read all the books so meticulously.”

The REC-VoW Book Awards are conferred upon the ‘Best Author’ across eight categories and is a major highlight of the annual VoW festival. All 8 winners will be felicitated at the Signature event being held in Dehradun on the 28th-29th November, 2026.

One-of-a-kind, not-for-profit and volunteer-driven initiative of the Valley of Words Foundation Trust, VoW | Shabdavali has over the course of a decade become a pan-Indian celebration of Indian writing and artistry. With each passing year the event reaffirms its mission and continues to spotlight new talent across and beyonds boundaries to inspire and enrich India’s literary landscape.

For latest updates click: http://valleyofwords.org

 

SDM Rahul Anand @ Mussoorie Samvaad

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Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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SDM Rahul Anand at 2nd Edition of Mussoorie Samwaad the MPC

Dateline Mussoorie: Sub-divisional Magistrate Rahul Anand was a special invitee at the 2nd Edition of Mussoorie Samvaad, organized by the Mussoorie Press Club today.

Addressing a packed gathering, Rahul Anand — IAS batch of 2022 and Mussoorie’s Sub-divisional Magistrate for close to a year — took centre stage to discuss the challenges and responsibilities of the Queen of Hills as an administrator.

SDM Rahul Anand with members of the Mussoorie Press Club

Speaking candidly during the hour long interaction, Anand acknowledged that amongst the many challenges Mussoorie faced ‘Traffic’ was the number one problem. “Instead of looking at bandaged solutions to ease out traffic in Mussoorie, I believe we have to work out a holistic solution.” He further suggested, “A complete tourist circuit with a definite entry and exit point is something that should be worked upon so that we can ease out the traffic in-flow at major landmarks such as Picture Palace, Library Point, Zero Point et al.” He also suggested to reroute Chardham Yatra via Vikas Nagar and Prem Nagar instead of Mussoorie during peak season to ease out the inflow of into town.

Responding to questions from media personnel the SDM highlighted several pressing issues concerning Mussoorie and its citizens. Questions ranged from illegal construction, change of land use, noise pollution, lack of doctors in the Civil Hospital, leakage in the Yamuna Water Project, the delay in Mussoorie being notified as a Tehsil since 2023 and removing the last few hawkers who had encroached upon View Points along the Mall Road.

He also said that his tenure as Assistant Commissioner in Nainital enabled him to replicate the same model on Mussoorie’s Mall Road, successfully removing hawkers who had encroached upon it—a move that earned him widespread appreciation. The SDM urged the town’s residents to support and commit themselves to implementing stern measures to resolve routine issues so that the town could regain much of its lost glory.

Mussoorie Samvaad, an initiative by the Mussoorie Press Club, is conceived as a monthly interactive forum bringing together distinguished personalities from Mussoorie for engaging in  conversations with the local media. Through these sessions, the platform seeks to promote meaningful dialogue and provide insights into the work ethics, challenges, work ethic, and contribution towards Mussoorie’s development.

Ratatouille & Potpourri Poems: A little book of Happiness

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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Ratatouille & Potpourri Poems

Dateline Dehradun: Ratatouille & Potpourri Poems is a delightful collection of 44 poems whose title aptly captures the spirit of the book. Much like the French vegetable stew ratatouille, each poem contributes its own distinct flavour, creating a rich and satisfying medley of observations, emotions, and experiences for its readers.

The collection traverses a wide range of themes. Nature blossoms through poems such as Red Gladioli, Jasmine in My Garden, Poppies, and Sunflower – The National Flower of Ukraine. The changing moods of the seasons find expression in poems on autumn and the monsoon, while love unfolds in Don’t Feign Love, Signalling Love, and One More Time. Family relationships are portrayed with warmth and sensitivity in First Light Verse, My Father’s Son, and My Mother’s Health. The collection also reflects on the harsh realities of conflict through poignant poems such as Prisoners of War and Small Light Coffin. Whether exploring emotions, home, or humanity, the poems present thoughtful observations in varied forms, including rhyme, free verse, and slant rhyme, with each evocative piece inviting readers into a world of words and quiet reflection.

Dehradun-born lawyer, poet, and short story writer Ajay Jugraan is professionally based in Delhi. Writing in both Hindi and English, Jugraan has the ability to transform everyday moments into engaging poetic experiences. His accessible style encourages readers to slow down, savour each line, and discover meaning in the seemingly ordinary.

Jugraan is the author of the Hindi poetry collection Antarang Satrang, the English short story collection The Bridge on the River Song, and the haiku collection Haiku no Hanataba. With its blend of lyrical simplicity, emotional depth, and universal themes, Ratatouille & Potpourri Poems is an ideal companion for a cosy, rainy afternoon and a rewarding read for poetry lovers across borders.

Ratatouille & Potpourri Poems Verses on Vines

Bookleaf Publishing, 2026

9789375275916

82 pages

123...942Page 2 of 942

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