Synthetic track bone of contention

Synthetic track brought in Dharamsala was meant for training of international and national level athletes. However, these days it has become a bone of contention between the bureaucrats who find the synthetic track, a favourite place for morning or evening walk. This week a foreign coach stopped a senior bureaucrat from walking on synthetic track. However, this infuriated the bureaucrat who called police to the spot. She asked the Youth and Sports Affairs Department to file an FIR against those who were causing inconvenience to locals taking walk around the synthetic track. However, the matter was settled and no FIR was filed. The issue brought to the fore a potent question on the utility of expensive synthetic track for training of national and international athletes or morning or evening walk by VIPs.

BJP old guard jittery

The maiden visit of new BJP in charge for Himachal Mangal Pandey has enthused the youth as for the first time all senior leaders are under the command of a young leader. However, the old guard is feeling uneasy as signs of generation change are clearly visible and future of many senior leaders hangs in balance. The fear and anxiety of aging leaders obsessed with electoral politics is not unfounded as no one knows how many senior leaders would be dumped into “Marg Darkshak Mandal” like L K Advani and Murli Monahar Joshi and others, said a young BJP leader in lighter vein.

Miscommunication about AI flight

The Shimla-Delhi-Shimla flight was resumed after five years following persistent pressure by the government and the court orders but its teething troubles are far from over. Air India suddenly cancelled its flight on May 20 citing wet air strip and poor visibility in Shimla as a cause. One of the passengers, who got a message regarding cancellation the flight, contacted Deputy Commissioner Shimla Rohan Chand Thakur. After inquiry, it was revealed that there was a communication gap between Air Traffic Control Shimla and airlines staff in Delhi. However, the flight was resumed after timely intervention of the Deputy Commissioner, who also sought enquiry into the lapse.

MC polls in deep freeze

The Shimla Municipal Corporation elections seem to have gone into a deep freeze for the time being. The parties and candidates have shifted to a lower gear till the High Court gives its verdict on a plea file by the BJP. The hustle and bustle seen earlier has vanished. Congress, BJP and the CPM are showing no enthusiasm. They seemed to have thrown the process of selection of candidates on the back burner. More so because the MC elections are not being fought on the party symbols. Uncertainty looms over the ejections as the elections department is preparing the voters list again and waiting for the court order.