India's first paragliding school was inaugurated by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on January 25, 2025, at Bir-Billing, Himachal Pradesh. The facility was constructed by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Built at a cost of ₹9 crore, the center was completed three years ago but faced delays due to the absence of paragliding regulations. The complex includes office rooms, lecture halls, conference rooms, dormitories, single-bed rooms, a dining hall, and a modern kitchen. The institute will be jointly managed by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC)and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali. The school aims to train over 100....Read More
Hariman Sharma, known as the "Apple Man of India," has been conferred with the Padma Shri for his significant contributions to agriculture. He developed the HRMN-99apple variety, which can thrive in tropical and subtropical regions with summer temperatures up to 46°C. Sharma started his journey in 1990, initially with a small nursery in Paniyala village, Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh. The HRMN-99apple has a striped red-over-yellow skin and soft, juicy pulp, with plants producing up to 75 kg of fruit. His work has helped cultivate apples in regions previously thought unsuitable, benefiting farmers in 27 states and boosting exports to countries like Nepal, Bangladesh,....Read More
Hariman Sharma, known as the "Apple Man of India," has been conferred with the Padma Shri for his significant contributions to agriculture. He developed the HRMN-99apple variety, which can thrive in tropical and subtropical regions with summer temperatures up to 46°C. Sharma started his journey in 1990, initially with a small nursery in Paniyala village, Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh. The HRMN-99apple has a striped red-over-yellow skin and soft, juicy pulp, with plants producing up to 75 kg of fruit. His work has helped cultivate apples in regions previously thought unsuitable, benefiting farmers in 27 states and boosting exports to countries like Nepal, Bangladesh,....Read More
Himachal Pradesh has been recognized as the 'Best Performer' in the States' Startup Ranking 2022 among states with populations less than 1 crore. The state has 144 DPIIT-certified startups in sectors like agritech, tourism, and IT. Startups are driving job creation, innovation, and economic transformation. The state offers seed funding up to ₹25 lakh, subsidized incubation spaces, and R&D grants. Under PM Micro Food Processing Scheme, ₹56 crore was provided to 972 cases. ₹31 crore was allocated to 13,427 women self-help groups as seed capital.Read More
Lahaul-Spiti residents celebrate Halda festival for luck, abundant harvest. Halda Festival is celebrated in January in the Lahaul-Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh. It is dedicated to Shiskar Apa, the Goddess of Wealth, for blessings of prosperity and a good harvest. Celebrations are prominent in the Pattan, Gahar, and Chandra valleys. Villagers craft torches called Halda from pencil cedar branches, symbolizing male family members. Torches are lit and gathered at a central place as part of the rituals. The Asur Dance is performed on the last day in Khangsar village, Chandra valley. The festival ends with rituals at the temple of Deity....Read More
The 2025 Bhunda Mahayagya was revived after a gap of 40 years, with the last event held in 1985. The revival took place in January 2025 after extensive preparations spanning three years. The event took place in Dalgaon village in the Rohru Subdivision of Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh. It is a ritual that has deep roots in the local heritage, with beliefs that it was initiated by Lord Parshuram and has been performed for centuries in the Nirmand, Rohru, and Rampur regions of the erstwhile Bushahr princely state. Main Rituals: Sanghera:The event began with the Sanghera ritual, where deities from various valleys converged in Dalgaon, accompanied by traditional processions and dances. Shikha Poojan:On the....Read More
Current Context : Two Guler miniature paintings, exemplifying the Kangra style, achieved a record ₹31 crore at a Mumbai auction. Nainsukh's Masterpiece (circa 1750): Sold for ₹15 crore, this painting depicts Raja Balwant Dev hosting a musical soiré Anonymous Descendant's Work (circa 1775): Fetched ₹16 crore, illustrating a verse by 12th-century Sanskrit poet Jayadeva, showing Lord Krishna dancing with gopis in a lush Vrindavan grove. About Kangra Miniature Paintings Flourished in the mid-18th century under Rajput patronage in Himachal Pradesh. Originated in Guler; gained prominence in Kangra under Maharaja Sansar Chand's rule. Key themes: Radha-Krishna love stories, Hindu mythology, nature,....Read More
Current Context : Pangi Valley is set to benefit from improved snow-clearing operations with the introduction of a state-of-the-art truck-mounted snow blower machine. About Pangi Valley Remote valley in Chamba district, located between Zanskar and Pir Panjal ranges at ~11,000 feet elevation. Known for harsh winters with 3,000–4,700 mm snowfall (Dec–March), often isolating the region. Population comprises Aryan descendants (Rajputs, Brahmins) and Mongolian-origin Bhots. Read More
Current Current : Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Justice Sandhawalia was the senior-most puisne Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. About Justice Sandhawalia graduated with a BA (Hons) from DAV College, Chandigarh, in 1986, and obtained his law degree from the Department of Laws, Panjab University, Chandigarh.Read More
Current Context : A tourist from Rajasthan was drowned after he fell into the Chandra river. About Chandra River : Originates from the Baralacha La Pass in Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. Flows southeast before merging with the Bhaga River at Tandi to form the Chenab. Chandra Taal (Moon Lake) is located near its source. Known for its rugged terrain and harsh environment in the cold desert of Lahaul and Spiti. Confluence: Near Tandi, it merges with the Bhaga River to form the Chenab River.Read More
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