Let’s think in Shimla
Shimla’s reputation for hosting contemplative meetings is getting stronger by the day. Right from the days of the Raj, when it served as the capital of British, Shimla’s salubrious environment seems to favour deep insightful thinking. No wonder, after the 1971 war, Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Bhutto, tried to find a solution there. More recently, the BJP organised its chintan baithak at the Himachal Tourism’s complex, Peterhoff. Now the grapevine is abuzz that even the Shiromani Akali Dal is planning to hold its own chintan baithak. Slated for sometime in September or October, this meeting which would feature the top leaders of the party, would be organised in Shimla.

All play, no work
The Punjab government had an extended weekend this time. Courtesy the birth anniversary of Baba Srichand, a holiday was declared on Friday. Interestingly, the anniversary date was earlier in September, but some discrepancy in the Gregorian calendar and the Sikh calendar led to a change in the date. The fact, that the new date happened to be a Friday could have been a pleasant coincidence, but there is something patently wrong in so many holidays. The memories of revered people from the past, certainly need to be respected. But granting a holiday is no way to commemorate. We don’t think that even Gurus, who were the embodiments of hard work, honesty and empathy, would have advised our babus to go on long weekends, especially, when so many issues pertaining to the common man await their attention.

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