Dhumal asks for media’s help on Shimla’s historical buildings

SHIMLA - Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal Saturday asked the media to help the government compile a list of historical buildings in this state capital.

“We have launched a scheme to compile the historical facts under ‘Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai’ (Every House Has Its Own Story). We would welcome it if the members of Press Club of Shimla may come forward to compile such facts,” Dhumal said while speaking at the silver jubilee year celebrations of the club here.

“Most of the journalists have been covering the state for past many decades and at times they come across some interesting and unique facts. This would, of course, help the government in compiling a book on the historical buildings of Shimla,” he said.

The tourism department launched “Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai” on World Tourism Day (Sept 27) last year, under which the state tourism department is compiling a list of historical buildings.

For this, it has asked the owners of historical buildings and other social organisations to provide lesser known facts about their buildings, which would eventually be complied into a book.

The Queen of Hills, as Shimla was fondly called by the British, has 91 British-era heritage buildings. These include Ellerslie (housing the state secretariat), Vidhan Sabha, Peterhoff (which was completely renovated after being devastated in a fire nearly two decades ago and now serves as the state guest house), United Services Club, Town Hall, Barnes Court (Raj Bhavan), Viceregal Lodge (now housing the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies) and Gordon Castle.