BRIEF REPORT ABOUT THE KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA 2007(6th BATCH)

BRIEF REPORT ABOUT THE KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA 2007(6^th BATCH)

I Roshan Lal Thakur DCT (OPS) Dte Gen was nominated as a liaison officer for the KM Yatra 2007 6^th batch, which was scheduled from 28^th Jun to 26^th July 2007. Earlier MEA has submitted a list of 60 Yatries out of which only 45 Yatries turned up for medical test at Heart & Lung Institute of Delhi . 5 Yatries were not permitted on medical ground and only 40 Yatries were short listed for 6^th batch, in which 29 M and 11 F Yatries were present. After doing all codal formalities, party left for Almora & further to Dhachula. At Mangti one Yatri called Mrs Savita Kohli (F) returned back to Delhi due to domestic problems Rest Yatra remained comfortable till 12^th July, on 12^th July when we were scaling to Dolma pass , I had a opportunity to save one precious life of a female yatri, which really gives me immense pleasure , whenever I remember the situations . It happened like this on 12^th july when I reached at Dolma pass quite early and still all Yatries are supposed to come, I remained at Dolma pass for more than 45 minutes , it was extremely cold weather and snowing , I was literally shivering with cold but still  encouraging all Yatries that it is not snow but the blessing of all lord Shiva & Parvati .Mean while I noticed that one lady yatri named Rajalaxmi was totally exhausted & tired . She was not able to put one step forward and she was having the giddiness & fear of death. I approached to the lady yatri and talked with her , comforted & encouraged her not to lose heart , then I have given her some (Channa) Gram with Gur and warm water , after that one tab. of multivitamin , one iron tablet , one vitamin C and one tablet of pain killer . I was literally dragging her, as she was not able to stand on her feet. The weather was of its worse condition. I told her not to close her eyes and not to rest at any conditions, just be brave for rest 10-15 minutes and let these tablets to work. Then you will be alright. I prayed to the God to help her to overcome this difficulty. By grace of God after 10-12 minutes she started feeling better and she said, now I can walk alone, when we reached half way to next stop, she quietly came to me and said Mr. Roshan You have saved my life, I have replied may be all mighty God wanted me to save your life that is why I remained for more than 45 minutes at Dolma pass, where usually people do not stay more than 5 min. under such hostile weather conditions. After hearing this, she had tears in her eyes & smiled, then I said you must pray and thank to God for everything.

            This was the first instance where I have saved the precious life of a Yatri , I had another opportunity to save the life of  another Yatri , she was Mrs, Dipaben Patel a female Yatri from Gujrat on 12^{th July}  , She got left body paralysis attack while walking along the Mansarover Lake . She was immediately taken to Taklakot civil Hospital and then her husband and relatives informed me at Darchin that Dipaben Patel was attacked by paralysis and she is not able to talk and eat anything, her condition is critically serious & they requested me to come back to Taklokot immediately. Then I hired Taxi and left for Taklakot , with the local guide Mr. Tempa (Phembha) . After reaching at Taklakot hospital I meet with the patient and then discussed the matter with their family members. Then it was decided that she must be evacuated back to India for better treatment. As the medical facility at Tibet (China side) is in primitive stage. Then I contacted with MEA officials at Delhi and Indian Embassy at Beijing for air evacuation. I also contacted with Sh. P. K. Dasmana ADIG (Ops) ITBP for providing the assistance at Lepu Pass with medical team. Under the response, ITBP has sent 12 jawans with stature, emergency medicines, oxygen cylinder and a medical officer Dr. Neeraj Kumar with one medic. Here I would like to mentions the fact that at Taklakot , there were no nurse or doctor to attend the patient but the ITBP, which has great value for life has directed the doctor to receive the patient at Lepu Pass . This worked as a life saving moral boasting medicine for that patient and when Dr. Neeraj talked with patient and her husband they cried and there eyes were full of tears. They had no words to Thank ITBP for such generosity. It was on 15^th July at 0930 Hrs in the morning when we handed over the said patient to ITBP official Doctor Neeraj Kumar at Lepulekh Pass. Here I strongly recommend that Dr. Neeraj who has literally saved the life of that patient by treating  her at such inhospitable condition is really worth more than praise and he deserve D.G. insignia and commendation letter , but many times such brave acts goes unnoticed . On same date the patient was air lifted from Kalapani to Dharchula , the chopper with patient remained over night at Dharchula due to bad weather , next day morning ,they took flight to Delhi and handed over the patient to their relatives at domestic airport technical area . Then they took the patient back to Ahmedabad . The patient’s relatives are still in contact with me and presently she is in much better condition. I have my full satisfaction that I had done my duty with full devotion and dedication, resulting saving of two precious lives with the blessings of mighty God.

           

            After that Yatra went peacefully and ended successfully at Delhi on 26^th July 2007.

  

SUGGESTIONS :-

            Full lengths of suggestions are given in the blue book supplied by the MEA but there are few, which require the attention, are as follows.

(I)              Most of the Yatries are getting sick at two places that is one at Dolma Pass & 2^nd at Mansarovar, they suffer the cardiac arrest and high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPO) & high blood pressure. To avoid such kind of attacks, Yatries should be advice to take the medicine like Dymox etc. in plenty. This medicine could act as life saving drug. I also suggest that these kinds of medicines should be supplied in plenty to Kalapani & Gunji post, where ITBP doctor can advise Yatries when to takes such LSD medicines.

(II)          As there are no medical facility available at Chinese side, it is suggested that at least two medical or Para medical team permanently be kept at Darchin and Quhu or Taklakot to help the Yatries in the dire state of need. As many groups are without medical doctors yatry (as MEA tries to put at least one doctor yatry in each group).

By putting such medical camps at Chinese side may save the precious lives of many Yatries .

(III)       As we have seen most of the Yatries are getting sick just because they do not follow the instructions and precautions told in the briefing by the L.O. , secondly when group reaches in Chinese side , it is divided in to two groups , and one group is left without L.O. As all Yatries follow the instructions of LO when 2^nd group is handed over to Dy. LO (who is nominated amongst the Yatries only) most of yatries do not follow his directions and instructions. Hence a group of rebels comes up and mostly those people get sick, by not adhering to the instruction and precautions at such high altitude. To avoid such incidents in future MEA should appoint two Liaison Officers in each batch for each group of 30 pilgrims at Chinese side. Since each batch is consisting of max 60 persons.

(IV)         There should be minimum and maximum age limit for visiting the KM . It is suggested that min age should be 15 and max should not be more than 65 & this regulation should strictly be followed.

           

 ROSHAN LAL THAKUR

 DCT (OPS) I.T.B.POLICE 

Dte Gen CGO COMPLEX

L.O.6^th batch KM YATRA-2007

Dated 28^th Sep.2007

Ph. 9868044209

[अपनी यह कविता अमर उजाला , संडे आनन्द मार्च 7 , 2010 से साभार लगा रहा हूँ]

नीचे देखते हुए चलना

सब से ज़्यादा मज़ा है
नीचे देखते हुए चलने में
और नीचे गिरी हुई हर सुन्दर चीज़ को सुन्दर कहने मे

आज मैं माफ कर देना चाहता हूँ
अब तक की तमाम बेहूदा चीज़ों को
जो दनदनाती हुईं आईं थीं मेरी ज़िन्दगी में
और नीचे देखते हुए चलना चाहता हूँ सच्चे मन से.

नीचे देखते देखते
आखिरकार उबर ही जाऊँगा उस खुशफहमी से
कि दुनिया वही है जो मेरे सामने है-

खूबसूरत औरतें

बढ़िया शराब

चकाचक गाड़ियाँ और तमाम खुशनुमा चीज़ें
जिन के लिए एक हसरत बनी रहती है भीतर .

एक दिन मानने लग जाऊँगा नीचे देखते देखते
कि एक संसार है
बेतरह रौन्द दी गई मिट्टी की लीकों का
कीड़ों और घास पत्तियों के साथ
देखने लग जाऊँगा नीचे देखते देखते
अब तक अनदेखे रह गए
मेरे अपने ही घिसे हुए चप्पल

और पाँयचों के दाग

एक भूखी ठाँठ गाय की थूथन
एक काली लड़की की खरोंच वाली उंगलियाँ
मिट्टी में गरक हो गई कुछ काम की चीज़ें खोजती हुई.....
बीड़ी के टोटे
चिड़ियों और तितलियों के टूटे हुए पंख
मरे हुए चूहे धागों से बँधे हुए
रैपर ,ढक्कन, टीन......
बरत कर फैंक दी गई और भी कितनी ही चीज़ें !

उस संसार को देखना
एक गुमशुदा अतीत की ख्वाहिशों में झाँकने जैसा होगा
और इस से पहले कि धूल में आधी दबी उस अठन्नी को
लपक कर मुट्ठी मे बंद कर लूँ
वैसी बीसियों चमकने लग जाएंगी यहाँ वहाँ
उस संसार को देखना
दूर धुँधलके में तैरता अद्भुत स्वप्न जैसा होगा
बरबस सच हो जाना चाहता हुआ.

ठीक ऐसा ही कोई दिन होगा
नीचे देखते देखते जब
गुपचुप प्रवेश कर जाऊँगा उन यादों में
जब मैं भी वहाँ नीचे था कहीं
बहुत नीचे
और बेहद छोटा , बच्चा सा
यहाँ ऊपर पहुँचने के लिए बड़ा छटपटाता....
और समझने लग जाऊँगा कि अच्छा किया
जो तय कर लिया वक़्त रहते
नीचे देखते हुए चलना.


लंका बेकर बस्ती, सितंबर 2008

संस्मरण्

डॉ.बी.एस. रावल

बेचारे

आश्चर्यजनक, किंतु सत्य. यह एक सच्ची घटना है . ऐसी घटनाएं मुद्दतों तक भुलाई नहीं जा सकती. इस दुनिया में किसी अच्छे काम का प्रतिफल हमेशा ही ऊँचे और रसूख वाले लोग छीन लेते हैं , जबकि उन का योगदान शून्य के बराबर होता है. उन में इतनी भी दयानतदारी नहीं होती कि एक ईमानदार वर्कर की तारीफ करें या उस की पीठ ही थपथपा दें.
मई 1973 में भारत के राष्ट्रपति श्री वी.वी.गिरि मनाली में छुट्टियाँ मनाने आए थे. मनाली के छोटे से कस्बे में बड़ी हलचल थी. टूरिस्ट सीज़न अपने चरम पर था . महामहिम के मनाली प्रवास को सफल बनाने के लिए हिमाचल प्रदेश केबिनेट और प्रशासन जी जान से जुटी थी. प्रदेश के विभिन्न भागों से वर्दियों और सादे कपड़ों में वाकी-टाकी वाले सुरक्षा कर्मी तैनात किए गए थे. नाहन तक से एम्बुलेंस और दमकल बुलाए गए थे.
श्री गिरि हर सुबह वशिष्ठ के गर्म चश्मे में स्नान करने जाते. दोपहर बाद वे निकटवर्ती पर्यटन स्थलों को घूमने निकल जाते, जैसे कि- हिडिम्बा मन्दिर, लॉग हट्स, नगर कासल, रेरिख़ आर्ट गैलरी, नेहरू कुण्ड, और राहला फाल इत्यादि.कभी स्कूली बच्चों द्वारा साँस्कृतिक कार्य्क्रम प्रस्तुत किया जाता और कहीं कुल्लू और मनाली के ग्रामीणों द्वारा सिविक रिसेप्शन दिए जा रहे थे.
इसी बीच प्राचीन कुल्लू राज्य की राजधानी नग्गर में शाड़ी जातर नामक उत्सव मनाया जा रहा था. 23 मई को मैं डॉ जे एस ठाकुर और उन के रिश्तेदारों के साथ उत्सव देखने नग्गर जा रहा था. उन दिनों मनाली से नग्गर सड़क पक्की नहीं थी और हमारे ड्राईवर महोदय हमारे विनती करने पर भी हाईवे वाला लम्बा रूट अपनाने को तय्यार नहीं थे जो पतली कुहुल हो कर जाता था.उसे हमारे कपड़ों उतनी फिकर नहीं थी जितनी कि अपने लॉग बुक की. नग्गर पहुँचते ही हम लोक निर्माण विभाग के रेस्ट हाऊस में घुस गए कि कपड़ों पर से धूल झाड़ लें और हाथ मुँह धो लें. लाऊड्स्पीकर पर लोक धुनों की ऊँची ध्वनियाँ सुनाई दे रही थीं. जैसे ही हम रेस्ट हाऊस से बाहर निकले, एक स्थानीय आदमी दौड़ता हुआ मेरे पास आया (वह मुझे इस लिए पह्चान गया कि साल भर पहले मैंने यहाँ कुछ महीने जॉब वेकेंसी पर काम किया था) बताने लगा कि मेले में बहुत सारे लोगों को उल्टियाँ और टट्टियाँ लगीं हैं. उन्हे डिस्पेंसरी पहुँचाया जा रहा है. हमें यह समझते देर नहीं लगी कि फूड प्वाईज़निंग हो गई है. मैं और डॉ. ठाकुर तुरंत मरीज़ों को देखने चल पड़े. कुल्लू से मेला देखने आए हमारे कुछ नर्स तथा पशु पालन महकमे के कुछ लोग तथा हमारे स्थानीय स्टाफ के लोग हमारी मदद कर रहे थे. मरीज़ों मे अधिकतर औरतें और बच्चे थे जो प्राय: चटपटी चीज़ों के शौकीन हुआ करते हैं.
हम ने तुरंत एक नमक की बोरी खरीदी और नमक का गाढ़ा घोल तय्यार किया . बगैर किसी जात पात का भेदभाव किए,( जिस के प्रति यहाँ के लोग बेहद संवेदनशील होतें हैं) एक ही मग् से यह घोल सभी मरीज़ों को पिलाया गया.. उस मग् ने एक पवित्र ब्राह्मण से ले कर अछूत तक के होंठ छू लिए होंगे. तमाम ज़रूरी और जीवन रक्षक दवाईयाँ उन्हे तुरत-फुरत दी गईं. यहाँ तक कि स्टेरिलिज़ेशन के लिए भी वक़्त नहीं था. सब से खराब बात यह थी कि भीड़ बेकाबू होती जा रही थी. उन में से आधे लोग तो शराब के नशे में मस्त थे और उन्हें अपने भाई बन्धुओं की कोई चिंता नहीं थी. और् जो नशे में नहीं भी थे, वे भी बस तमाशा देख रहे थे. मरीज़ों की संख्या 80 के करीब पहुँच गई. स्वास्थ्य और पशुपालन विभाग के वालियंटरों की मदद से किसी तरह हालात पर काबू पा लिया गया. मैं ने डॉ. ठाकुर से कहा कि मंच पर मंत्री जी( जो मेले के मुख्य अतिथि थे) के माध्यम से यह घोषणा कर दी जाए कि लोग मेले में लोग कुछ भी न खाएं. लेकिन मंत्री जी को इस बात का पता चला तो उन्हों ने डॉ. ठाकुर को दवाईयों के लिए कुल्लू भेज दिया. जब कि मौके पर मेरी मदद के लिए उन की सख्त ज़रूरत थी. शाम साढ़े छह के आस पास हालात कुछ सामान्य हुए. इस बीच मैंने वक़्त निकाल कर कुल्लू और मनाली मे अपने वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों को इस घटना की जानकारी दी और मदद के लिए गुहार लगाई. उस के बाद मैं खुद मंत्री जी के पास गया और दुकाने बन्द करवाने तथा अन्य ज़रूरी घोषणाएं करवाने की प्रार्थना की. मंत्री जी ने गाँव के प्रधान को मेरे साथ जाने के आदेश दिए, कि उन के साथ रहने से हमें दुकाने बन्द करवाने में दिक्कत न आए. प्रधान अनमने भाव से मेरे साथ चल पड़ा. कॉलेज के छात्रों ने इस काम मे हमारी बड़ी मदद की.कुछ दुकानदारों ने हमारी बात मानने से इंकार कर दिया . लेकिन उन्हे जब धमकाया गया कि उन के खाद्य पदार्थों का सेंपल लिया जाएगा तो वे मान गए. जब हम डिस्पेंसरी के प्रांगण में पहुँचे तो यह देख कर मैं बहुत निराश हुआ कि प्रधान जी दुबारा मुख्य अतिथि के बगल वाली सीट पे विराज मान थे. न ही मंत्री जी ने डिस्पेंसरी में आ कर मरीज़ों से मिलने या सांत्वना प्रकट करने की ज़रूरत समझी.. लोगों के लिए ज़िन्दगी और मौत का सवाल था लेकिन मंत्री जी नृत्य प्रेमी थे. वे मंच पर ही जमे रहे और लोकनृत्य का आनन्द उठाते रहे. जब कि हम लोग चीखते, चिल्लाते, उल्टियाँ और टट्टिया करते मरीज़ों से भरे कमरों में काम कर रहे थे.
शाम घिरते घिरते डॉ. ठाकुर , कुल्लू से एक मेडिकल ऑफिसर के साथ पहुँचे साथ ही मनाली से डॆप्युटी सी.एम. ओ. भी पहुँच गए. फिर हम सब ने मिलकर मरीज़ों की एक बार फिर से जाँच की. 13 मरीज़ ऐसे थे जिन को कुल्लू अस्पताल पहुँचाना ज़रूरी था. बाकियों को दवाईयाँ दे कर छुट्टी दे दी गई.
इस बीच मेला खत्म हो गया. मंत्री जी ने सीधे मुख्य सचिव को फोन लगाया जो उस समय मनाली में थे. उन्हों ने आदेश दिया कि मरीज़ों के लिए तुरंत गाड़ियों का प्रबन्ध किया जाए. अचानक कारों और जीपों के काफिले वहाँ पहुँच गए. प्रशासन हरकत में आ गई थी. हर अधिकारी अपना नम्बर बनाने के चक्कर में था. गम्भीर मरीज़ों को वहाँ से शिफ्ट करने से पहले खूब हो हल्ला मचा. सी.एम.ओ. कुल्लू के आदेश पर सभी डॉक्टरों और नर्सों को बुलाया गया. और कुल्लू अस्पताल में पूरा एक वार्ड इन मरीज़ों के लिए खाली कर लिया गया. मरीज़ों की तौरंत जाँच की गई. उन्हें इंट्रावेनस ड्रिप चढ़ाया गया. ईश्वर की कृपा और हमारी मेहनत से किसी की जान नही गई.
फिर तो हर अधिकारी अपनी कार्य कुशलता दिखाने के लिए कोई न कोई मरीज़ ले कर पहुँचने लगा. जबकि इन मरीज़ों को नग्गर मे ही देख लिया गया था, और किसी चिकित्सा की ज़रूरत नही थी.अंततः वहाँ इतनी भीड़ हो गई कि उपायुक्त कार्यालय से दरियाँ और पुलिस लाईंसे कम्बल तक मँगवाने पड़े.
आधी रात के बाद हम मनाली लौट गए. मनाली पहुँच कर मेरे वरिष्ठ सहकर्मी ने अगली सुबह राष्ट्रपति महोदय के साथ् मेरी ड्यूटी लगा दी, क्यों कि वे स्वयम थक् गए थे.
अगली सुबह जब मैं ड्यूटी खत्म कर वशिष्ठ बाथ से लौट रहा था तो मनाली बाज़ार में रुका. एक जगह मंत्री महोदय् को कुछ राज्य स्तरीय अधिकारियों से घिरे हुए देखा .मैं ने उन्हे यह कहते हुए सुना: “ अरे मैं था वहाँ. ....वर्ना वहाँ तो हंगामा.....पब्लिक घबराई हुई...... डॉक्टर घबराए हुए.....मैं आया, टेलीफोन पर बैठा ..... इधर फोन.... उधर फोन ...... सब ठीक ठाक हो गया .... हा...हा....हा...हा.” लोक संपर्क विभाग के एक वरिष्ठ अधिकारी ने मुझे वहाँ से गुज़रते देखा तो बात मे दखल देते हुए कहा , “ सर, इस डॉक्टर ने वहाँ बड़ा अच्छा काम किया....”
मंत्री जी सकपका गए . अपने कन्धों के ऊपर से मेरी ओर देखते हुए बड़े अनौपचारिक अन्दाज़ में बोले “ हाँ, हाँ, ये भी थे बेचारे.....”



पुनश्च:
25 मई को दी ट्रिब्यून चण्डीगढ़ ने इस नग्गर मे फूड प्वाईज़निंग की इस घटना की एक संक्षिप्त सी खबर दी. जिस मे यह कह कर मंत्री महोदय की तारीफ की गई कि उन की व्यक्तिगत देख् रेख मे मरीज़ों को ज़िला अस्पताल पहुँचाया गया और इस तरह् कोई केजुअलिटी नहीं हुई........... माई फुट!

Looking down on creation of ROHTANG PASS many stories

Standing amid the vast silvery expanse of Rohtang Pass is a dream come true for every tourist to Himachal Pradesh,              

A view of the snow-clad Rohtang from Madhi. The HP Government resthouse at Madhi stands isolated as there is scant habitation and no vegetation at this height. Rocky terrain en route Rohtang

AT 13,400 feet, the pass commands a breathtaking view of the valleys on either side and as one gasps for breath one wonders why it is called a pass at all for it does not have that narrowness associated with one. It spans a kilometre in width and overlooks the gigantic meadows that accentuate the sense of height. Rohtang splits the awe-inspiring Pir Panjal range in Northern Himalayas. On one side of the pass is the picturesque Kulu valley. On the other is the rugged terrain of Lahaul. This pass, joining the two sides, has made communication between Kulu and Lahaul a possibility.

Legend has it that for long the people of Lahaul thought that there was no existence beyond the high ranges of Pir Panjal and for the people of Kulu valley theirs was the land’s end. Many stories and myths are linked with the creation of Rohtang that defy reason but are all the same nearer the heart of the people. According to one version, the people of Lahaul heard from the winds and the birds, stories about the existence of a prosperous land beyond the Pir Panjal range. They propitiated Lord Shiva who smote the mountain range with a whip with such severity that the rocks crashed and a terrible wind started blowing; and then there followed an impenetrable darkness and an impregnable silence. At this moment, the pass was created. Lord Shiva went away but the wind continued to stay. Till date, the pass is lashed by stormy winds.

  Another story has it that a king, Gyapo Gyaser, came on his flying horse and reaching the Khoksar ranges he gave a powerful blow with his magic whip to make his way across. The mountain cleaved to let him pass. In both the stories, whipping seems to have produced great stormy winds, which the people of Kulu and Lahaul say, shows the might of Lord Shiva and King Gyapo, respectively. The weather has not changed since and powerful hurricane wind starts blowing atop Rohtang around noontime every single day. Anything moving on the pass is likely to be blown off.

A mist may rise any time, reducing visibility to near zero. That is the reason why tourist traffic starts moving down to Manali between 12.30 to 1 p.m. and tourists are warned to keep timings. Call it a natural geographical phenomenon or freak of nature or the might of the Creator, but one thing is certain that it is not within human limits to dare the wind. That is the reason why no accommodation facilities are available at Rohtang.

The drive from Manali to Rohtang is an unforgettable experience. The 52-km-long metal road is a feat of engineering and one cannot but appreciate the Border Roads Organisation for their hard work in making and maintaining the stretch that has made the journey to Rohtang possible for an average tourist. As one crosses Manali, the scene seems to be changing with every turn. And every time you look out, a breathtakingly beautiful panorama opens before you. The vast and open Beas valley, the gurgling streams, the apple orchards and the expanse of lush green meadows soon change to formidable heights, deep gorges and unfathomable valleys. Soon, you reach Rahla waterfalls. Stopping there, you can enjoy the force of the water cascading down with full vigour. The air is now sparkling clear and the sky deep blue. En route, you can see tiny hamlets and the orchards that are left behind. To keep you company, the colourful flowers peep through the mountainsides — the deep mauve and bright yellow wild flowers, the exquisite ‘gora’ bushes with shell pink flora and some white daisies delicate and uncertain whether to bloom at this height or not. The picture of nature is just superb, the colours are bright and the lines of scenic beauty etching out in just perfect contours. As the height increases, the greenery dwindles. You cross Madhi and an intimidating feeling engulfs you as you enter a crystal fairy palace. It is, indeed, an ice-wall through which the road passes.

Short of Rohtang, there are several stalls giving coats, jackets and snowshoes on rent to prepare you for the cold up on the pass. A welcome service, indeed.

And once you are there you are atop the world. The crystal white beauty, the mile-long expanse, the unknown terrain beyond and the awe of the mysterious just baffle you. For the tourists, playing in the snow is a wonderful experience. Despite the dizzy feeling and shortness of breath, they seem to be bent on having maximum fun. To one side of the cliff is an igloo-like structure. It is the source of the Beas, one of our mighty rivers that starts its odyssey as a non-descript trickle. A beautiful glacial lake called Sarkund, and also Dashair, lies at 500-600 feet above the pass. Its water is supposed to have curative value but reaching there is not easy and a tourist cannot make it because of constrains of time as he has to leave before the stormy winds start lashing the pass. But the locals brave this treacherous trek to bathe in the lake on auspicious days.

Coming down Rohtang, all through the hairpin bends and stomach-churning heights, stopping at Madhi is soothing. Madhi has several dhabas that offer snacks and lunch and it is not a bad idea to taste kadhi-chawal if you can withstand the journey downhill. With a hot cup of tea in your hand, looking at the Beas flowing like a ribbon affords a space to speculate and live through the experience of Rohtang. Here, the Beas is just a tiny stream, unpolluted and sparkling, curving its way down soon to become a might river. There is a small HP Government rest house nearby, standing on a barren stretch.

Rohtang may be an exhilarating experience but with its hazardous climatic conditions it is not visitor-friendly for it remains closed for a major part of the year and is open to tourists only between May and August. For the rest of the time, blizzards hold sway and the temperatures are below freezing.

For the people of Lahaul, however, Rohtang has been a blessing. It lies on the old trade route to Central Asia and has served as a gateway to Lahaul and Spiti via the Baralacha Pass, to Ladakh and Tibet. Traders from Ladakh and Tibet have passed along this route with their mules, stacked with salt and borax, mined in the inner Himalayas. Even today, they bring wool and woollen blankets, asafoetida (heeng, in Hindi), aromatic roots and precious stones — tiger’s eye, lapis lazuli, amber and turquoise for which the region is known. They return with tea, sugar and foodgrains as the spring heralds mild weather to cross the pass.

On your way to Rohtang, amid other things you may notice the nomadic shepherds, the Gaddis, with their flocks of sheep and the fierce Gaddi dogs trekking slowly towards their destination. And as a lilting tune on a flute vibrates through the fresh air you are just filled with inexplicable happiness, a sense of gratification.

courtesy:- reports Usha Bande after a visit of Tribube 

for more stories on Lahoul spiti please read book LAHOUL SPTI FORBIDEN LAND IN HIMLAYAS by BAJPAI 

OR OTHER LINKS TO THE e- books as given below

http://books.google.co.in/books?id=ds5X6EkFQoYC&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=GYAPO+GYASER&source=bl&ots=sHsLA3K_de&sig=cyzMDSf_qGf3O2G-ZGxwoDxjp4A&hl=en&ei=bihES63-FYyC7QO69IDiBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CBYQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=GYAPO%20GYASER&f=false

Lahaul and Spiti

 Lahaul and Spiti

Lahaul and Spiti, the largest district in Himachal Pradesh, is a vast area of high mountains and narrow valleys bounded by Ladakh to the north, Tibet to the east, Kinnaur to the southeast and the Kullu valley to the south. Lahaul is often regarded as a midway point en route to Leh and the Indus valley, but has more to offer travellers. Spiti has only recently been opened to foreign tourists attracted to its isolated Buddhist gompas and villages. Lahaul is also a fascinating area for Buddhist art and culture. The monasteries of Lahaul and Spiti are rich repositories of ancient murals, thankas, wood carvings and golden images of the Padmasambhava. The people are charming, friendly and hospitable with their own traditional dances, ballads, folk tales and legends. 

Weather 

The altitude varies from over 6,500 m in the high peaks to 2,740 m, where the Chenab River makes its exit from the region. The Lahaul region is at an altitude of 3000-3900 m, the air is much rarified and there are heavy snowstorms between September and May. Nevertheless, since the rains here are very scanty, it is an ideal place for trekkers, especially in the months between June and September. The Spiti valley is connected to Lahaul through the 4500-m Kunzam pass. Beyond the reach of the monsoon, the valley sees little rain in summer, when the sun is strong, and the nights cool. 

How to reach 

By Air 

Delhi is the most convenient city to access the Indian Himalayas, and there are flights to Shimla, Kullu, Leh and Chandigarh. The final 30-minute approach to Leh is regarded as one of the most spectacular flights in the world. 

By Train 

There are rail connections from Delhi to Shimla, Haridwar (near Rishikesh), Kathgodam (35 km from Naini Tal) and Ramnagar. It is easy to reach Manali from these places and then from Manali to Lahaul and Spiti. Between Kaza and Keylong, there are irregular bus services.

Lahaul and Spiti at a glance :

Lahaul and Spiti at a glance :
Population	32,000
Area	12,210 sq km.
Best time to visit Lahaul	Mid June to Late October
Best time to visit Spiti	August to October

Places of Interest

Suraj Tal , Guru Ghantal Monastery(3020 m) , Tashigang Gompa , Tilasangh Monastery , Kaza , Thang yug Gompa , Ki and Kibber , Tabo Gompa , Shashur Gompa , Dhankar Monastery , Kunzam , Keylong , Tayul Gompa(3900 m) , Khardong Gompa , Pin Valley National Park 

Suraj Tal 

Below the summit of the Baralacha Pass in the Lahaul division of district Lahaul and Spiti. The Baralacha la connects Manali and Lahaul to Ladakh and the lake which draws a considerable number of visitors - especially in summer - lies by its head. This is the source of the river Bhaga.

Guru Ghantal Monastery(3020 m)

This is on the right bank of Chandra river about 4 kms. above Tandi and is believed to be the oldest Gompa of Lahoul having wooden structure with pyramidal roofs, wood carving, preserving the idols of Padmasambhava & Brajeshwari Devi. On the full moon night in mid-June a festival called "GHANTAL"

is celebrated by Lamas & Thakurs together.

Tashigang Gompa

Can be visited by taking diversion from Khab to Namgya and then trekking to the Gompa.

Tilasangh Monastery

1 km. trek from Ka, it is 12 km. short of Yangthang.

Kaza

Kaza is the administrative centre and transport hub of Spiti subdistrict. Kaza's old town, around the new bus stand, is a maza of little shops, hotels and whitewashed houses. The new town across the creek, is a collection of tin-roofed government buildings.

Thang yug Gompa
It is located 13 kms. above Kaza serving western part of central Spiti. Situated in a secluded place in the narrow gauge of Kaza Nallah, it generally has a Lama from Tibet. Above this there is a long plateau which leads to Shilla peak.

Ki and Kibber

Founded in the sixteenth century, the Kyi Gompa is the largest and the oldest monastery in the Spiti Valley, supporting a thriving community of lamas. It is located at a height of about 4116 meters above sea level. Ki, the oldest and largest gompa in Spiti, about 14 kms from Kaza, was built by Ringchen Zangpo and belongs to the Gelukpa order. The gompa is famous for its priceless collection of ancient thangkas, including Tibetan silk thangkas upto 800 years old and frescoes depicting the life of Padmasambhava. The Chaam festival, held in the month of June/July, is a much-awaited event of this gompa. 

Kibber or Khyipur is 11 km from Kyi Gompa, and is the highest settlement in the world (4205 meters) with a motorable road and electricity. The Ladarcha festival held here each July attracts Buddhists from all over the world. 

Tabo Gompa

Tabo Gompa is one of the most important monasteries in the Tibetan Buddhist world. It is 1,002 years old monastary. It was built in 996 AD. There are nine temples in the complex, at all ground level and dating from the 10th to the 16th century. The main assembly hall of the Tsuglhakhang is surrounded by 33 raised Bodhisattva statues and houses a four-sided statue of Sarvarvid Vairocana, one of the five Dhyani Buddhas.

Shashur Gompa

Shashur Gompa is 3 kms from Keylong. Dedicated to a Zanskari lama, it was built in the 16th century and is of the Gelukpa order. The 5m thangka is famous in the region. An annual festival, held every June or July is renowned for the mask dances performed by the lamas. 

Dhankar Monastery

It is situated about 25 kms. east of Kaza and serves eastern part of central Spiti. Dhankar is a big village and erstwhile capital of Spiti King. On top of a hill there is a fort which use to be a prison in olden times. The Monastery has about 100 Lamas and is in position of Buddhist scriptures in Bhoti language. Principal figure is a Statue of "Vairochana" (Dhayan Budha) consisting of 4 complete figures seated back to back. It has relics in the shape of paintings and sculptures.

Kunzam

On the road from Kaza to Keylong is Kunzam, a mountain pass at an attitude of 4551 meters, with a temple of Kunzam Devi. One can also trek from here to the famous and beautiful moon lake Chandratal (4070 m). Asia's biggest glaciers, Bada and Chotta Sigri, can be seen from here. At Gondhla, one can visit the seven-storey castle of the Thakur of Gondhla. The Guru Ganthal gompa, in Tupchiling, 4 km away, is about 800 years old and an important site to visit. 
Keylong

Keylong is the headquarter of the Lahaul sub-district. It is located in the fertile valley of Bhaga.

Tayul Gompa(3900 m)

Tayul Gompa is 6 kms. from Keylong and is one of the oldest monasteries of the valley having a huge statue of Guru Padmasamhava about 5m high and houses library of Kangyur having 101 volumes. In Tibetan language Ta-Yul means the chosen place. There is an interesting story behind this.

Khardong Gompa

The Khardong Gompa stands just opposite the Bhaga Valley from Keylong. This 900-year-old monastery belongs to the Drukpa Kagyud order and has some beautiful frescoes.

Pin Valley National Park 

Pin Valley National Park is located in Lahaul & Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. The region is a cold desert, which is adjoined to the Great Himalayan National Park in the southwest and Rupi Bhabha sanctuary in the south. The park extends from the latitudes 31°45'-32°11'N and longitudes 77°45'-78°06'E. The Pin Valley, south of the Dhankar gompa, has been declared as a national park

Weather

Conditions are generally cold and dry as the region has always been a cold desert. It receives heavy snowfall in winter, the rainfall being average. Best time to visit the park is from May to October. 

How to reach 

There are two approach routes to Pin Valley National Park. The first one is via Manali - Rohtang Pass - Kunzum La. This route is open from July to October. The second one is via Shimla - Tapri – Kaza. March to December is the best time to approach the park via this route. The nearest airport is at Bhuntar in Kullu district. Private operators operate flights to Delhi from here; therefore it would be wise to confirm flight schedules etc. in advance. Shimla at a distance of around 443 km is the nearest railhead. 

Where to stay

Bunkers have been constructed by the wildlife authorities in the Pin Valley National Park region which is a suitable way to stay there. Camping is the best way to spend night in the park. One can also avail accommodation at Kaza, the nearest town, which is also the administrative centre of Spiti.

LATE SHAMSHER SINGH DEPUTY COMMANDANT BSF 10th Dec 2001

BSF officer killed in Kulgam encounter    

A deputy commandant of the Border Security Force was killed and a jawan wounded when a group of militants attacked a search party engaged in a encounter with some militants holed up in the Kulgam area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir.

The militants attacked the search party from outside the cordoned Khori-Batpora village in the wee hours, apparently to help some of their colleagues holed up in the village and engaged in an encounter since Sunday evening, BSF sources said.

The sources said the search party, on specific information about the presence of militants in the village, placed a cordon around it at about 1500 IST on Sunday.

Finding themselves trapped, the militants hiding in two houses opened fire on the search party at 1800, starting a fierce encounter in which a BSF jawan, Ravinder Raina, was injured. The firing continued through the night.

Early on Monday, a second group of militants attacked the search party from outside. In the shootout, Deputy Commandant Shamsher Singh of the 151st Battalion was killed and a jawan injured.

The sources said the second group of militants escaped after the encounter, but those holed up inside were believed to have been killed as both houses where they were hiding caught fire and were gutted.

BSF officer killed in encounter
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 10
A Deputy Commandant of the Border Security Force (BSF) and three others, including two militants, were killed in separate incidents in the Kashmir valley since yesterday.
A BSF spokesman told TNS here that Deputy Commandant Shamsher Singh was killed in a night-long encounter with militants at Khuri Batapora in the Kulgam area of Anantnag district last night.
He said security forces, on specific information, cordoned off Batapora locality yesterday afternoon. While search was being conducted, hiding militants opened fire on the search party at about 7.30 p.m.
The fire was retaliated which continued for about an hour, in which the officer was killed. The cordon was further tightened throughout the night, the spokesman said.
He added that the troops were again fired upon by the hiding militants this morning. One house was gutted in the exchange of fire between the militants and the security forces. The security forces have recovered an unidentified body from the debris of the house.
Two militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Lam in the Tral area of Pulwama district today. One of them was identified as Mushtaq Ahmad, believed to be an IED expert. Two AK rifles were recovered from the site of the encounter, the BSF spokesman said.
JAMMU: Indian troops killed five hardcore militants in the Surankot area of Poonch district on Monday. With this the toll of terrorists in Poonch district on Monday rose to 10.
Defence Ministry reports said on a tip-off troops cordoned off a militant hideout in the Surankot area.
As soldiers neared the hideout they came under heavy fire which was retaliated. All five terrorists were killed on the spot.
Earlier, the troops eliminated five foreign mercenaries in the Mandi area of Poonch. They were trying to cross into Pakistan.
Official reports said Indian troops spotted some movement on the LoC during the wee hours and asked the rebels to halt but they opened fire. The troops retaliated, killing five militants on the spot.

Hony Captain(Retd) Bhim Chand,

During the Kashmir operations in 1948, Subedar Bhim Chand was ordered to take out a guerilla platoon and capture the last enemy positions in Leh tehsil. To reach his objective he had to use ropes, picks and shovels on the way and had to cross snow-covered peaks 22,000 feet high.

His platoon suffered 50 percent casualties from frostbite, but Subedar Bhim Chand was confident and determined to fulfill his mission. Finally on 27th December 1948, he made a surprise attack and captured enemy positions. The enemy ran away leaving behind six dead, three rifles, Bren magazines, blankets and other stores.

In this action the JCO showed great power of endurance, devotion to duty, magnificent capacity to organise and extraordinary determination to win his objective. For this he was awarded the VrC and the Bar to VrC.