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Where culinary traditions and food folk tales intertwine

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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Book reading with Prachi Raturi on her book Uttarakhand Cuisine, Food and Folktales from Uttarakhand

Dateline Mussoorie: Born and raised in Mussoorie author, Prachi Raturi Misra spoke on the culinary traditions and food folk tales of Uttarakhand at the 85th edition of Landour lecture series, Mussoorie Heritage Centre in collaboration with INTACH Mussoorie Chapter at The Fern Brentwood Resort.

The author’s fifth book ‘Uttarakhand Cuisine, Food and Folktales from Uttarakhand’ published by Om Books International intertwines six folk tales and over hundred recipes interspersed with nuggets of nostalgia of her growing up years in Mussoorie and her roots in Garhwal. Raturi spent five years gathering recipes from Garhwal, Kumaon and Jaunsar Bawar which were then thoughtfully interwoven with pictures and illustrations of folk tales like ‘Ae Bwai main kya ta karun,’ ‘Panch Pakora,’ ‘Saut Puro Puro puro,’ ‘Khichri Mitthi,’ ‘Bhilangana’ and ‘Kaafal Pakyo.’

Uttarakhand Cuisine, Food and Folktales from Uttarakhand

“Food, as Raturi pointed is a living heritage. When a recipe is passed on from one generation to another, so are several customs and traditions.” It is no surprise some fifty traditional culinary practices are inscribed on UNESCO’s lists of intangible cultural heritage. 

She further goes on to say, “Another unique quality of food is how food is closely associated with memories of warmth, comfort and love. And how it inevitably makes us feel connected to our roots. Food reflects customs, beliefs and values of a society.” A study by Oxford University asserts that communal eating social bonding and feeling of a well-being.

“The reason to talk about the culinary heritage of Uttarakhand is important for several reasons,” added Raturi. “It is sad but we in the hills don’t take as much pride in our traditions and culture. When tourists come to the hills, all they seem to be getting is maggi, chowmein and momos.”

Prachi’s book is not only your regular cookbook with recipes. It also gives the reader a sneak-peek into the land and the people of Uttarakhand. Do get your copy now!

Life is full of mysteries, but your identity should not be one of them.

By
Dr Sanjeev Chopra
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This quote from the Nigerian author Samuel Awolumate provides the context to the title of the book – Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Memoirs of Indian Army’s First Ethnic Gorkha Lieutenant General. ‘As the land of my forefathers, writes Gen Shakti Gurung, Nepal will always hold a special place for me, but it is India where I was born, and where I have served, that I have laid down my heart’

Let’s face it. The overwhelming impression amongst those who wrote and commented on military matters was that ‘Gurkha soldiers were fine and fearless troops with fierce loyalties to their Commanding officers’. But imagining them as officers – taking up command positions and giving strategic direction on India’s critical frontiers – the LAC and the LOC was certainly not part of the cantonment folklore. I grew up in one of them in the seventies, and interacted with officers from across the country – Singhs, Yadavs, Josephs, Mazumdars, Kapoors, Joshis, Tripathis, Mitras, Patnaiks and Deshmukhs – but do not recall interacting with a Gurung or Lama – for they were indeed few and far between. But yes, Gurkha troops were the stuff of legend in the writings of John Masters, on Manekshaw, Gen Ian Cardozo and Probol Dasgupta, among others. So this is an important offering from a Gurkha officer, who had to face questions about his national identity, right up to his days as a participant at the National Defence College.

There were two possible ways to review this fascinating book of 371 pages. The easier option was to follow the author’s narrative, and capture the space-time sequence of his life and personality -his days in Cambrian Hall( named after a peak in Wales ), his pre -commission training in the NDA ‘from a boy to a man’, life as an officer ‘stars in my eyes’, and the usual drill of a Fauji life as he picked up appointments, staff courses and prestigious assignments culminating in the position of Military Secretary, and working closely with the COAS (pre CDS days). However, I have taken the view that my critique should focus on his observations on the LAC and the LOC, and also about the critical role which Myanmar has to play in our Look East

Policy, besides of course, his lament on the political future of the Indian Gurkhas in their quest for identity.

My first posting in Kalimpong in 1986 coincided with the time when the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) agitation and the anti-Bengali sentiment was at its peak. But I recall very clearly that every protestor would make it a point to state that they were patriotic Indians, and that their agitation was for statehood, ethnic and linguistic identity within the union of India.

Among the postings that he (and his family) enjoyed the most was at Yangon in Myanmar as the Defence Attaché (DA) – a member of the armed forces, whose legal status is covered under Article 7 of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. There were twenty two of them in Myanmar at that time – including US, Russia, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan – while competing with each other professionally, they also came together for a fortnightly game of golf.

Until 1937, Myanmar (then called Burma) was administered as a province of British India. This was where the British had exiled the last Mughal king of India, Bahadur Shah Zafar – whom Musharraf described as the ‘last Emperor of Pakistan’ in the visitor’s book. From a contemporary geo strategic perspective, Myanmar is like a yam stuck between two major powers of Asia, India and China. For China, it is the gateway for its landlocked Yunnan province to the Indian ocean, while for India it is the land bridge that joins the Indian sub-continent to South East Asia and the markets of the Mekong sub region. While working with Ambassadors Shyam Saran, V.K. Katju, and R.K. Bhatia, he developed a strong rapport with the Tatmadaw—the Myanmar military – and travelled extensively across the country, from Putao in the north to Kawthaung in the south, and from the Chindwin River in the west to Tachilek in the Golden Triangle in the east. China’s intent and ambitions in Myanmar have to be watched very carefully: the term used is ‘pauk phaw’ which means siblings from the same mother. Just before Covid, in January 2020, President Xi Jinping visited Myanmar and signed thirty nine agreements – including the China Myanmar Economic corridor (CMEC).

India’s counter to the CMEC are two major infrastructure projects within our Look East policy. These include the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral (IMT). The problem is the internecine conflict between the insurgent militia of two states within Myanmar – the Arakan army of Rakhine and the Chin National front of the Chin state. However, progress on the IMT is better, and both Manipur and Mizoram will have a link to this highway. Over time, this road can link our NER with the Greater Mekong South East Corridor. However, democratic India does have a problem – for unlike China which is firmly aligned with the military junta, we are often seen as running with the hare (pro democratic forces) and hunting with the hounds (Tatmadaw). While there can be multiple views on how we should conduct our affairs with Burma, there is near unanimity on one point: the need to establish specialist institutions to study the country’s languages, ethnicities, polity, and cultural practices. We share a porous, riverine, and heavily forested 1,650-kilometre border with Burma, where even a border pillar – if it exists – is merely a silent and mute spectator.

Let me now dwell on his understanding of India Nepal relations, especially in the context of the current tensions between the two countries with a deep civilizational connect. The three major irritants are the India Nepal Treaty of 1950 – the Lipu Lekh Kalapani border issue and the Agnipath scheme. With regard to the first, there is a general consensus about the ‘format flaw’: it was signed by then Prime Minister of Nepal Mohan Shumshere Jung Bahadur Rana with the Indian ambassador C.P.N. Singh. On the Lipu Lekh Kalapani issue, India’s claim is buttressed by the fact that a UP PAC unit has been in position there from 1955. Besides, this area was clearly demarcated on the Indian side in the India China trade agreements of 1954. On the Agnipath, the general’s view is that in the long run, it will have grave implications on our strategic outreach with Nepal, for if the Gurkha troops are also inducted into the PLA, the danger to India will be ‘more than grave’. As it is, through its Belt and Road initiative, China is trying to transform Nepal from a ‘land-locked’ into a ‘land-linked’ country. Perhaps a comprehensive dialogue on both sides is required – India needs to convince Nepal that what is being offered to the youth of Nepal is not in any way less compared to their Indian counterparts.

There are other useful nuggets in the book – the most significant among them being that contrary to popular belief, the 2/9 Gurkhas were not the only troops which opened fire in the Jallianwala Bagh. Others in the firing squad included the 54 Sikh and the 59 Sindh Rifles. He also discusses the dilemmas of the Gurkha POWs in WWII who were torn between their fidelity to their paltan, and the rather tempting offer of joining the INA of Subhas Bose. We also get an insight into the (failed) attempt of the British to retain Andaman and Nicobar islands as military bases, and that the issue was resolved when it was agreed that some Gurkha troops would remain with the British army, thereby making the Gurkhas the only soldiers to serve three countries – Nepal, India and UK! Now of course, they are also at the helm!

GLOBAL SOUTH’S PEREGRINATION EXCOGITATING INDIA AS ITS COMPASS

By
 PADMANABH K. SHARMA
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In his address to the third iteration of the Voice of Global South summit on August 17, 2024, PM Modi remarked “Countries of global south must unite and speak in one voice…we need to get 2/3rd of world’s population recognised…” This clarion call by New Delhi to the global south reinforces India’s long-standing commitment to bolstering erstwhile colonial nations. The initial two  editions of the summit witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 100 countries of the global south, manifesting the trust of the global south in Indian stewardship. During India’s G-20 presidency, the African Union was enlisted into the heavy-weight alliance, which altered the aristocratic character of G-20, and it exemplified New Delhi’s pervasive influence in the grouping of the 20 most dominant counties.

Global South encompasses a disparate array of underdeveloped countries, comprising Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia(excluding Israel, Japan and South Korea) and Oceania(barring Australia and New Zealand).

Most of these countries have borne the brunt of colonisation in the 19th and 20th centuries. American political Activist Carl Oglesby is believed to have conceived the term Global South in 1969 in Commonweal to denote a set of countries beset by the dominance of the Global North is due to political and economic subjugation. However, Gramsci’s allusion to domination over Southern Italy by capitalists of Northern Italy in his 1926 essay entitled “The Southern Question” is argued to be a precursor to Oglesby’s mature conceptualisation of the global south. Carl’s work was an offshoot of the intellectual traditions of the first half of the 20th century, such as that of Lenin, Hobson, Dependency theory etc. which advanced that the global order was created by a cohort of wealthy and politically influential nations. Some criticism of the term stems from its literal interpretation, which suggests that it embodies countries falling below the line of the equator, with critics flagging that India, a key player of the global south is located to the north of the equator while affluent Australia and New Zealand are located below the equator. Indian foreign policy strategist, C. Raja Mohan draws exception to the phrase by arguing that it “denies agency to individual countries by treating them as one bloc” with “fluid boundaries and vague criteria of inclusion.”

COLONISATION IN 20th Century

The third-world countries (presently, Global South) in the Cold War era began to coalesce around the two-fold agenda of truly exercising the right to self-determination by pursuing geo- political non-alignment and pre-empting economic colonisation of the newly born free nations. To further these motives, the countries of the Global South contrived two    transnational    vehicles,    viz.,    NAM    (Non-Aligned Movement) and G-77(Group of 77).

NAM sprang from the Bandung Conference or Asian-African Conference hosted by Indonesia in 1955. A gathering of 29 countries at the conference interalia,     India and China assented to the creation of a Non-Aligned movement to uphold the geo-political interests of the developing world. NAM convened its maiden summit Conference of Heads of State/Government in Belgrade in 1961 to give effect to the official inception of NAM in addition to promulgating the need to “transition from an old order based on domination to a new order based on cooperation between nations”. Nehru’s amicable equations with his compeers in the Global South proved seminal in exalting the comity of Non-Aligned nations.

In fact, NAM owes its nomenclatural genesis to India as the phrase ‘non-alignment’ was coined by Erstwhile Ambassador of India to the United Nations, V.K. Menon.

To shore up geopolitical non-alignment, leaders of the nascent global south attempted to rejig international economic dispensation through G-77, which 77 non-aligned countries devised at the first gathering of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in 1964 Geneva. G-77 aimed at augmenting the manufacturing capacity of the countries of global south so as to metamorphose these economies from exporter of raw materials to exporter of finished products. G- 77 sought to indemnify for the fiscal loss, wreaked by the colonisation of these newly emancipated countries.

However, all the means formulated for defanging the bipolar world turned out to be a debacle. The New International Economic Order(NIEO), mooted by the 1973 Algiers NAM Summit, which incorporated 20 principles for fuelling economic growth of global south succumbed to the debt crisis of the 1980s during which most developing economies landed in doldrums. The US, since the enunciation of NIEO, had vehemently thwarted NIEO by labelling it as radical and inspired by socialism. The debt crisis and the implosion of the Soviet Union coerced many countries to recourse to International Financial Institutions for eliciting access to much-needed liquidity. Post-Communist regimes beset by the disintegration of the USSR were administered Shock Therapy by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, which entailed their transformation from centrally planned economies to free economies. Even India deregulated its economy in 1991 in light of economic distress and adopted measures for liberalisation. The fall of the USSR and the conundrum of economic crisis culminated in the anointment of the United States as the world’s only superpower. In a nutshell, the decade of the 90s laid the foundation for the resurrection of capitalism and its allied institutions and drew curtains on the third world’s crusade against inequitable economic order.

21ST CE reinforced the independent stature of the global south as India and China started to outclass many Western economies, prominently from the 2000s. Emboldened Chinese and Indian economies started acting as a ready reckoner to the entire global south. It rendered them the alternative to circumvent the Western fiscal model and synchronise their economies with these countries to which the entire global south was well accustomed. However, China’s extraordinary belligerence did not augur well for many small nations, especially in Southeast Asia. China’s quantum leap in the industrial area was not in tandem with democratic tenets, unlike India. Though the Chinese industrial sector surpassed its many Western counterparts, it is worth mentioning that it did not translate into friendly relations in its neighbourhood owing to its extractive character. China’s outlook towards Asia is well articulated by a Chinese idiom which says “One mountain cannot have two tigers”. China’s foreign philosophy is not poised to accept a multipolar Asia so, the Chinese construe India’s rise in the Asian geopolitical landscape as a menace to China’s pre-eminence in the region and beyond.

EXPLORING INDIA AS A GUIDE TO GLOBAL SOUTH

In sharp contrast, India’s unimpeachable democratic credentials since Independence, which are unprecedented vis- à-vis any other post-colonial nation place India at the helm of inclusive global south. Given the magnitude of diversity and poverty that India harboured on the verge of Independence, many thinkers and even the British were cynical about the success of democracy in the Indian setting. Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India and a distinguished statesman, mentioned during his intellectual engagement with children, that once Sir Anthony Eden, who was a British Foreign Secretary and went on to become British Prime Minister, expressed to Nehru through correspondence that his dream of introducing a parliamentary form of government in India was unrealistic and impractical, however after 1952, the same individual, who happened to be Nehru’s old pal of Trinity College of Cambridge University reconsidered his opinion and wrote a letter to Nehru stating “Indian Constitution is the most magnificent Magna Carta of Socio-Economic transformation of a vast multitude of people in a peaceful manner.” India’s ascent in all spheres of international theatre serves as a case study for nations of the global south. India’s pathway post-independence vindicates that democracy leads to inclusive development in place of stagnation.

India’s civilisational connection with many South Asian countries transcends political frontiers and temporal dimensions.

Cultural ties inextricably bind many nations such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Cambodia etc. to the civilisational spirit of India. The idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam or the world is one family, as enshrined by the Maha Upanishad and the Rig Veda, is a succinct proclamation of Ancient India’s prelude to global citizenship long before it was propounded in the Western philosophical realm. Even thinkers of Ancient India, when the world placed the accent on territorial conquest and survival, envisaged this world to act as a cohesive family. For instance, a major chunk of Nepalese and Indians bear religious allegiance to Hinduism which in turn, bolsters the people-to- people engagement between both nations. Akin to Nepal, Tamils of Sri Lanka share kinships with Indian Tamils, which promotes the natural affinity of India towards Sri Lanka. As a matter of fact, the Indian government have on occasion, nudged Sri Lankan government to protect Tamil Interests in Sri Lanka due to insistence from Indian Tamils. Indian cultural network underlies its robust relations in the neighbourhood.

International approbation of India’s soft power prowess can be attributed to India’s rich cultural heritage. India’s cultural permeation into civilisations of the global south ramped up India’s relevance in the global south.

India’s  consistent  adherence  to  strategic autonomy  amid shifting sands in the global landscape underscores India’s steadfast commitment to non-alignment. The recent western economic sanctions on Russia did not deter New Delhi from inking trade pacts with Russia, which supplemented India’s sovereign posture. In addition to this, for instance, India’s diplomatic presence in both QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) and SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) which are deemed as arch-rivals of each other, ameliorate New Delhi’s parleying capacity in the interests of global south. Washington and Europe are prudently compelled to cultivate friendly ties with New Delhi to pacify Chinese aggression in South East Asia and rein in Russian gravity in India’s commercial sector(which is world’s 5th largest economy).

India’s diasporic influence over the world, especially in US, engender countries of global north to attach high premium to India while formulating critical nuances of foreign policy. To cite an example, the Silicon Valley of US is highly contingent on Indians as Harbir K Bhatia, the CEO of Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce notes that more than 40% of CEOs or founders hail from either India or South Asia.

From Nehru’s idealism to Modi’s realism, India has never been reticent in giving utterance to its concerns, despite a 360-degree change in the ideological space of the government.

In a way, the heart of India’s foreign policy has not been tinkered with since Independence, as evinced by an analogy between Nehru’s address to the UN General Assembly on 3rd November 1948 and S.Jaishankar’s reply to a question posed to him at Slovakia during 17th Edition of GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum.

“May I say that we are equally interested in the solutions of European problems; but may I also say that the world is something bigger than Europe, and you will not solve your problems by thinking that the problems of the world are mainly European problems?”–        Jawaharlal Nehru, the then PM
“Europe has to grow out of the mindset that Europe’s problems are the world’s problems, but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems”– S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India
New Delhi’s sustained support to South Asian countries discommoded by anthropogenic disaster or financial fiasco highlights India’s empathy with its vicinage. The emergence of Bangladesh in 1971 on account of India’s military intervention in East Pakistan crisis epitomises New Delhi’s fraternal tutelage to South East Asia. India’s contribution to its brother countries of the region for fostering development has been cardinal in deepening connect with South Asia, for example, Indian government underwrote the construction of Afghani Parliament. India even bailed out a special package to salvage faltering Sri Lankan economy in 2023 while the latter was heavily lopsided towards China. India’s initiative of Vaccine Maitreyi to aid other nations tide over covid crisis, while being stranded in the  battle  with the virus is the quintessence of Indian solidarity with the world.

India’s strategic geographic location naturally endows India with a great deal of negotiating capacity. India is situated at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia and Southeast Asia, so, India’s placement on a geographical plane aggrandizes India’s paramountcy in a global context. Even in the past, India wielded monetary significance as many thalassocracies like the mighty Chola empire, developed because of burgeoning trade and commerce in the Indian Ocean.

If the roadblock is handling diversity within the Global South, then no country other than India is aptly acquainted with modalities of synthesising unity in diversity. After all, India is rife with all genres of plurality- ethnic and linguistic and has subtly housed people from all faiths of earth since Independence within its democratic mansion.

CONCLUSION

As Global South grapples with alarming predicaments, India’s elevation becomes imminent. The inequitable representation of Global South in top global bodies can be appropriately projected as issue du jour for instance, UNSC has only one member country from Global South within the ambit of its permanent membership i.e., China. New Delhi’s push for becoming Vishwa Bandhu is a diplomatic breakthrough in right direction. While Global North inches towards its dusk, Global South brims with lustrous resplendence of the dawn. India’s association with the global welfare is time-tested and innate and has endured strong thrust of time for this is what Nehru outlined before the world just after Independence in his perennial speech, Tryst with Destiny, with the clock striking on midnight hour of 14th -15th August,1947 “…So we have to labour and to work and work hard to give reality to our dreams. Those dreams are for India, but they are also for the world…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR :-

Padmanabh Krishndev Sharma.

He is pursuing B.A. (Hons.) Political Science from Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi. He is serving as the Director (Organisation and Communication) and additionally, Editor of the Deshbandhu Journal of Social Sciences, a research Journal published under the aegis of Deshbandhu College. He is also contributing as Editor of The Rationale, the bi-annual magazine published by the Department of Political Science, Deshbandhu College. He has been contributing literary pieces to various journals and magazines on the relevance of ancient Indian philosophies, global affairs, political events, public administration, and social norms. His one such article, “Voyage of Bureaucracy” narrated the evolution of the institution of bureaucracy in India, and attracted applause from the academic community.

Northern’s Little Landour Bakery

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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Northern Little Bakery Delight

Dateline Mussoorie: As one walks up the Landour climb and takes a breather before going down either Tehri road or onto Chardukan, Lal Tibba and Sister’s Bazaar one cannot miss the sweet waft of a bakery near-by.

‘Northern’s Little Landour Bakery’ the latest addition to the long rows of Landour’s quaint shops, is your pit-stop for all bakery delights.

Run by Doon born and bred Sheuly Sen or Misthi as she is fondly called, “the bakery is an attempt to bring back the exuberance of Landour,” she tells me.  Her first baking endeavor was at the age of 15 was when she baked a cake for her friend’s birthday, marking the beginning of a lifelong passion.

Misthi went on to complete her course in Hotel Management from IHM Puducherry, and was smitten by the old-world charm of Landour while working at Landour Bakehouse.

Dehradun’s loss was Landour’s gain as the young baker decided to grow roots here and “let the river of sugary syrup flow and of course, the aroma of cinnamon, vanilla and chocolate fill the air of Landour,” she adds with a twinkle in her eyes. And that is exactly what Misthi has been doing over the past two months and counting.

The bakery is gaining popularity amongst the close-knit community for its customised cakes, brownies, pastries and cookies. Being eggless adds that extra icing on the cake.

Next time you are walking up Landour, do make sure to treat your taste buds to ‘Northern’s Little Landour Bakery’ delights while you catch your breath.

SIGNATURE:
* Almond cookies
* New York Style Choc. Chunk cookies
* Choco Drip Cookies
* Blueberry Muffins
* Vanilla Muffins
* Strawberry Muffins
* Cheese Garlic buns
* Baked Cheesecake (Customisable)
* Dry Cakes
* Gift Hampers
* Chocolates

* Fudge brownies & Dry Cakes
* Buns & Breads
* Carefully curated Cakes & and Nostalgic pastries
* Line of biscuits & Butter Biscuits

To order, call: 9557557969

Valley of Words announces Longlist 2025: 80 Best Books from last year!

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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Valley of Words 2025

Dateline Dehradun: In its 9th edition this year, The Valley of Words Book Awards (VBA), supported by the REC, has become more than just your run-of-the-mill awards ceremony. It’s the cornerstone of a literary and arts festival dedicated to nurturing a thriving literary and artistic community throughout the country. Through its Book Awards, VoW celebrates exceptional works across a comprehensive range of categories, including Hindi and English Translations, English Fiction and Non-Fiction, Hindi Fiction and Non-Fiction, Children Literature and Writing for Young Adults (bilingual) in the process of fostering dialogue, bridging inter-generational gaps and inspiring young readers, debutant writers, and artists.

VoW receives a number of nominations, with over 500 entries from 50 publishers across India this year alone. Its commitment to diversity is reflected in the ten longlisted works under eight categories that offer a tangible connection to India’s diverse and rich heritage.

Announcement dates

The jurors, comprising of last year’s VBA Winners, bring in their expertise of refining the Shortlist from a pool of exceptional entries. The sheer quality of the submissions present a significant challenge for the jury each year. Remarking on the exceptional quality of the submissions in all categories, Festival Director Sanjeev Chopra said, “Each year is a unique experience for us, for the range and diversity of themes, writing styles, cover pages and illustrations (for children books) makes the long list selection process extremely demanding. It sets to rest the apprehension in some quarters that the era of reading and writing is over. On the contrary, more books are being published than ever before, and rather than being a competition–AI has been an able assistant for most writers.”

The National Reading Month (from 19 June to 19 July) serves as a benchmark for the VoW Secretariat to unveil its longlist in the honour of P.N. Panicker, the “Father of the Library Movement” which began in Kerala. Panicker strongly believed that education and literacy were the keys to social progress. In 1945, he founded the Kerala Grandhasala Sangham (Library Association), which played a pivotal role in setting up thousands of libraries across the state. Today, Panicker’s legacy lives on through the annual celebration of June 19 as “Reading Day” in India, inspiring generations to embrace the transformative power of books.

Keeping its date with tradition, the Valley of Words will announce its comprehensive longlist for VoW Book Awards, 2025 under all 8 categories over a period of three weeks: English Non-fiction; English Fiction, English Translation, Hindi Translation,  Hindi fiction, Hindi Non-fiction,  Young Adult Literature, and Childrens Literature (Bilingual) which can be found on their website www.valleyofwords.org

Author Ruskin Bond turns 91!

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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Ruskin Bond @ 91 Pic Courtesy: Sunil Arora

Dateline Mussoorie: Author Ruskin Bond turned 91 today. And what was different this time around was there was no unending line of fans, VIPs, friends and family making their way up to Ivy Cottage, Landour (the author’s cottage) to wish their favourite author on his birthday. What once used to be a back-to-back  packed day for him as went about releasing his latest books,  meeting fans, publishers, fellow authors and took endless selfies with his growing tribe of readers who flocked to Mussoorie to celebrate with their favourite author from all over India. Bond wished for a low-key affair, this time around.

Earlier in the week, the octogenarian author had circulated a video message cancelling his birthday celebration citing the Pahalgam incident, “I won’t be able to have a public celebration this year. As you know we’ve just had that tragedy in Kashmir followed by an unpleasant conflict and I think maybe it’s time to just reflect.”

Life’s Magic Moments by Ruskin Bond Pic Courtesy: Sunil Arora

Bond’s latest book ‘Life’s Magic Moments’ published by Penguin was slated to be launched later in the day at the Cambridge bookstore, but then it was released at the author’s home surrounded by his dotting friends and family. Struggling with failing eye sight and other age-related health issues, India’s most beloved and prolific writer remains in good spirit. Bond promised to meet & greet his readers at the bookstore sometime in June if peace and good health prevailed.

Signing off, Bond thanked his umpteen fans and wished for, “a year of peace and prosperity for the country and may you all be happy and prosper.”

Newspost Team wishes Ruskin Bond a day filled with love, laughter, and all his favourite things, today and for years to come.

Shri Ram Centennial School Wins VoW ITI NATYA, 2025

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi/Nikita Aggarwal
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Winners of VoW, Iti Natya 2025 Pic Courtesy: Arpit Negi

Dateline Dehradun: The winner of the Fourth Edition of Iti Natya, an inter-school theatre competition celebrating youth, creativity, and the performing arts, was Shri Ram Centennial School.

Scheduled for May 4, 2025, at the Cultural Department Auditorium, Haridwar Bypass Road, Dehradun, this event brings together the finest young performers from eleven premier schools across the city.

Lighting of the lamp by esteemed guests
Pic Courtesy: Arpit Negi

Organized by Young Indians (Yi), Dehradun Chapter, in association with CII and Valley of Words, Iti Natya is a unique platform for students aged 13 years and above to explore storytelling, stagecraft, and acting. This year’s theatre competition allows young minds to scout the state’s rich heritage, explore its unique identity, and articulate their findings through the expressive medium of theatre as Uttarakhand celebrates ‘25 years of statehood.’

VoW and Yi team thanked participating schools, students and faculty for making the event a roaring success: Greenwood Hills School, Presidency International School, Maa Anandmayee Memorial School, Shri Ram Centennial School, Core International School, St. Kabeer Academy, Doon Global School, Touchwood School, Doon International School, Graphic Era Global School, and Him Jyoti School. Each school brought along its unique voice and energy, promising a rich tapestry of performances that blend tradition, innovation, and imagination.

Judges on the stage
Pic Courtesy: Arpit Negi

Not merely a competition— Iti Natya is a platform that nurtures confidence, fosters collaboration, and deepens students’ appreciation for the arts. Through theatre, students explore the complexities of character, narrative, and stagecraft, developing skills that go far beyond the proscenium.

A distinguished jury comprising acclaimed theatre personalities Sharmila Bhartari, Navneet Gairola and Curator Shalini Rao adjudicated the performances, offering invaluable feedback and encouragement to budding artists. 

This year’s edition hopes to spark a broader cultural conversation around the importance of the arts in education. As families, educators, and community leaders gather under one roof, ItiNatya stands as a reminder of the transformative power of theatre, where imagination meets discipline, and every performance becomes a mirror to society and the self.

Chief Guest for the occasion, State Information Commissioner and Former Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, Radha Raturi, remarked, “Theatre is a beautiful synthesis of literature, music, poetry, and dance, making it one of the most humble and profound forms of art.” She further noted that India’s cultural heritage is regarded as unique across the world, owing to its rich artistic traditions. She also congratulated Valley of Words and Young Indians (Yi) for the initiative and extended her best wishes to all participating schools.

Play in session
Pic Courtesy: Arpit Negi

Also present as Guest of Honour, Former DGP of Uttarakhand, Anil Raturi, reflected philosophically: “The human body comprises billions of cells that regenerate every 6–7 years. In that sense, there is no constant ‘me’ — the body and the world are constantly changing. It’s all about our perception. Physical accomplishments are temporary, but what truly distinguishes human beings is ‘chetna’ — consciousness. Enriching this consciousness is what truly matters.”

The themes revolved around: 25 Years of the Creation of Uttarakhand, which has blossomed into a hub of cultural, ecological, and historical significance. The “Iti Natya” competition provided an opportunity for young minds to explore the state’s rich heritage along with its unique identity, and articulate their findings through the expressive medium of theatre with various themes such as: Heroes and Legends, Spirituality and Pilgrimage;  Festivals and Fairs; Hidden Treasures, Women Empowerment, Food, Rivers of Uttarakhand, Biodiversity and Ecology, Folk and Music, Challenges and Opportunity etc…

Festival Director VoW, Sanjeev Chopra, summed up the event by reflecting on the past years of ITI Natya, fondly recalling memorable moments and the growth of the event. He praised the dedication and creativity shown by all the participating schools and teachers, acknowledging their hard work and consistent efforts in making the event a success year after year.

Play in session
Pic Courtesy: Arpit Negi

Iti Natya is more than an event—it is a celebration of dreams taking shape on stage, of stories that demand to be told, and of a generation that dares to imagine, perform, and inspire. Let the applause resound not just for the performances but for the passion, perseverance, and promise of every student who steps into the spotlight.

Uttarakhand comes alive in Hari Darshan Sankhya’s Artwork

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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Pic Courtesy: Hari Darshan Sankhya

Dateline Rishikesh: Since February, 2023 award winning artist Hari Darshan Sankhya has made the ghats of Rishikesh his home. The young artist from Mirzapur near Varanasi, was born with an artistic touch into a family that made jewellery. His passion for brushwork led him to post-graduate in Fine Arts from Banaras Hindu University.

It was here in his alma mater that Hari Darshan polished his basic techniques and philosophy of art while being an active theatre artist. Today his paintings find audience at museums and institutions in India and abroad.

I find the artist clocking hours as he creates a series of 108 paintings based on Garhwal Himalaya peaks, ancient temples and the hill state’s tradition and culture. His series of paintings include – Kedarnath, Rudranath, Madmaheshwar, Kalpnath, Tungnath, Omkareshwar, Jageshwar, Baijnath, Mahasu Devta Temple, Gopinath, Ardh Nareshwar, Badri Vishal, Adi Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Old Badri, Kashi Vishwanath, Raghunathji, Narasimha Temple, Koteshwar, Vitasini Devi, Dhari Devi, Gaura Devi, Kalimath, Pandukeshwar, Bharat Temple. Apart from these, themes such as Om Parvat, Shivling, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Neelkanth, Kharch Kund, Kamet, Thalyasagar, Adi Kailash, Hathi Parvat, Dev Doli of Garhwal, Pandava Nritya will also come alive on his canvas.

Pic Courtesy: Hari Darshan

As a true student of art he educates me, “Garhwal Himalaya have been of special importance in terms of painting. The Garhwal miniature painting style that flourished in the latter half of the 17th century has special significance. Many beautiful paintings made in this style can be seen in Dera Guru Ram Rai in Dehradun.” He further adds, “Maula Ram has been the leading painter of this style. Apart from this, the beautiful natural scenery and culture of Garhwal has attracted worldwide painters of the world.”

How else would I have known that in the 18th-19th century, many famous painters like Thomas Daniel, William Simpson, George Francis White, William Prinsep and Nicholas Roerich created beautiful paintings of this region. Every artist brought about their original and unique style including Indian artists, Yamini Prakash and Ratin Mitra who created a series of sketches on ancient temples of Garhwal in the last decade of the 20th century.

Artist Hari Darshan Sankhya in action

Taking this tradition forward, Hari Darshan has already completed 48 paintings and aims to complete his assignment by end of June this year. So why did he choose the Garhwal Himalaya? His answer, “The Garhwal region is a unique blend of spiritual traditions and natural splendour. I am trying to blend in cosmic harmony, rhythm and flow of the universe from a spiritual perspective in my work as I put acrylic and oil to canvas.”

I leave the artist to his work. Working with his palette and canvas he skilfully applies strokes to yet another masterpiece, lost to the world.

Earth Day Celebrated at Over Two Dozen Locations in Dehradun

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newspost
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Earth Day: “Our Power, Our Planet.”

Dateline Dehradun: Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation, based in Dehradun, celebrated World Earth Day in collaboration with several institutions at more than two dozen locations. Various activities and awareness programs were organized under the theme of this year’s Earth Day: “Our Power, Our Planet.”

The Foundation’s events focused particularly on plastic waste awareness and reduction, aligned with the global theme of environmental preservation.

In multiple schools, cultural programs were held to spread awareness about plastic waste and its harmful impact on the planet. Students were encouraged to collect and bring plastic waste from their homes, which was later deposited at SDC Foundation’s collection centers. The collected waste will be sorted and sent for recycling.

Earth Day: “Our Power, Our Planet.”

Students were educated about the dangers of plastic pollution and urged to minimize the use of single-use plastics. Many students took a pledge to spread awareness among their families, relatives, and communities.

Dinesh Semwal from SDC Foundation shared that Earth Day events were conducted in collaboration with institutions such as Doon University, Tulas Institute, B.S. Negi Institute, CNI Girls Inter College, GGIC Rajpur Road, Mahavir Jain Tilak Road, Hopetown, Oasis School, SGRR School Patel Nagar, SGRR School Racecourse, Sophia High School, Bhawani Balika School, New MD Public School, GGIC Lakkhi Bagh, SGN Doon Well, and many others. Over 20 government and private schools participated in the celebration.

According to Pyare Lal from the SDC Foundation, various competitions were organized to engage students and motivate them toward plastic control and environmental responsibility. Participants in these competitions were recognized and awarded by SDC Foundation. He expressed gratitude to all educational and partner institutions for their active involvement, emphasizing how encouraging it was to see such enthusiastic participation.

Earth Day: “Our Power, Our Planet.”

Praveen Upreti from SDC Foundation highlighted the importance of sustaining these initiatives and expressed hope that Dehradun would soon become a model city in the fight against single-use plastic. He also shared that SDC Foundation is running multiple campaigns in and around Dehradun to manage plastic waste, including the establishment of over 300 plastic banks across the city.

SDC team members Devika, Bittu, Pramod, and Subhash played key roles in planning and coordinating events across all participating institutions.

Mussoorie bids farewell to Author Bill Aitken

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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Author Bill Aitken

Dateline Mussoorie: Mussoorie resident-author Bill Aitken breathed his last in Dehradun late last night. A few days earlier, the author had a fall at his home while over seeing repair work and was rushed to Dehradun where he was kept under the best medical care but showed little improvement.

I was fortunate to meet Bill at his home in Oakless on his birthday last year when he turned 90. Full of warmth and good Scottish humour William McKay Aitken or Bill Aitken as we had known him since childhood was thrilled to see ma and me. He was in the best of health and spirits, if you take away the usual twinges in the hinges.

I remember him telling me, ‘I have never been better.’ At ninety Bill used to stick to a health routine which took him on a five kilometre walk –  twice a day plus the usual household chores and gardening, come rain or sunshine. He giggled and said, “It helps to keep my Scottish genes in ship shape.”

While longevity ran in Bill’s family, he lost one sister last year and his older sister moved into an old age home in London.

Prolific writer, Bill Aitken had over two dozen books to his credit, a British-born Indian travel writer and mountain lover from Scotland, Mussoorie had been his home for over four decades.  His books cover his travels around India, its mountains, rivers and its steam trains… Seven Sacred Rivers, Divining the Deccan – A Motorbike to the Heart of India, Footloose in the Himalaya, The Nanda Devi Affair, Exploring Indian Railways, Sri Sathya Sai Baba – A Life, Literary Trails, Riding the Ranges – Travels on my Motorcycle, Mountain Delight, Travels By a Lesser Line, Zanskar, 1000 Himalayan Quiz to name a few.

Fellow author Ganesh Saili reminisces, “Bill Sa’ab —that’s what we have always called him today the little community of writers from Mussoorie is diminished. We feel lost without our favourite Scotsman, the honorary Garhwali gone.”

You shall be missed, Bill -Sa’ab ~

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