Dar Ovais is the Dharamshala-based correspondent in the Himachal Pradesh bureau of Hindustan Times. He covers politics, tourism, Tibetan affairs and environmental issues.
Articles by Dar Ovais
After a stir over Shimla mosque, protesters met with water cannons in Mandi
Mandi: The mosque management committee has been served a notice by the local municipal corporation to remove the encroachment within 30 days.
Updated on Sep 14, 2024 01:57 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Shimla mosque row: Leaders call for peace at all-party meet
The all-party meeting, held in Shimla, was chaired by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and state Congress president Pratibha Singh, BJP MLA Randhir Sharma, AAP state president Surjit Singh Thakur, and CPM leader Rakesh Singha were among few others present
Updated on Sep 14, 2024 05:46 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Illegal tructure at Shimla mosque raised in unauthorised manner during BJP rule: Congress
Anirudh Singh said it was during the BJP regime that a sum of ₹2 lakh was provided to the mosque authorities from the planning head, by the then BJP government.
Updated on Sep 13, 2024 05:14 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Malana village gets electricity after 42 days, still cut off by road
The electricity in remote Malana village in Himachal’s Kullu district was finally restored after 41 days on Wednesday.
Updated on Sep 13, 2024 05:18 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Shimla mosque panel asks civic body to seal illegal portion, offers to demolish it
The representatives of the mosque committee on Thursday requested the municipal commissioner to seal the illegal portion and also offered to demolish it if the court orders so.
Published on Sep 12, 2024 08:31 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Himachal assembly passes bill to levy milk, environment cess on power bills
Himachal CM Sukhvinder Sukhu said the move will help government strengthen milk economy and initiate environment-friendly initiatives
Published on Sep 10, 2024 10:43 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Tibetan govt-in-exile calls for int’l intervention over forcible enrolment of children in colonial boarding schools
The CTA said the recent reports from reliable sources in the Ngaba region of Tibet have raised serious concerns about China’s educational policies and practices that are targeted at young Tibetan monks and nuns and pose a threat to the preservation of traditional Tibetan culture, religion, and way of life
Updated on Sep 10, 2024 07:52 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Despite normal rain in August, Himachal under 21% monsoon deficit
Monsoon activity has increased in August but the 522.2 mm rain so far is far below the normal 657.9 mm
Updated on Sep 09, 2024 05:34 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Himachal to install 48 weather stations for early warning on cloudbursts, rainfall
This was a part of an MoU signed by the state government with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in the presence of chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Updated on Sep 08, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
HP assembly adopts resolution to legalise cannabis cultivation
Himachal approved cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial use, following a committee's report indicating public support and economic potential.
Updated on Sep 06, 2024 11:58 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
No one will be permitted to take law into their hands: CM Sukhvinder Sukhu amid row over Shimla mosque
The CM also said while we respect peaceful protests, no individual, whether a political leader, worker, or supporter, will be allowed to bypass the law
Updated on Sep 06, 2024 09:54 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Himachal to disburse salaries on 5th, pensions on 10th each month
Himachal government has to pay salaries on the first day of every month but central grants are received on 6th and 10th of every month, forcing the state to take loans
Published on Sep 04, 2024 10:48 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Salary delay worries Himachal goverment employees
Leader of Opposition in assembly Jai Ram Thakur alleged it is probably for the first time in the history of the state that government employees are facing such a delay in receiving their salaries
Updated on Sep 04, 2024 06:50 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
‘China distorting Tibetan history, destroying architectural buildings’
“As part of this policy to eradicate anything Tibetan, the Chinese authorities are distorting Tibetan history, erasing national identity, and forcibly changing the way of life, and destroying architectural buildings, designs and artwork with Tibetan characteristics,” said Penpa Tsering
Updated on Sep 03, 2024 07:24 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Himachal makes strides in blueberry farming, gets first authorised nursery in Kangra
Horticulture department officials said Kangra-based Neva Plantation has been authorised to grow four varieties of blueberries: Misty, legacy, emerald, and biloxi. These varieties are being cultivated in containers to better manage soil conditions. This is the first registered blueberry nursery in the state, officials said.
Updated on Sep 01, 2024 10:24 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharmashala
Vikramaditya given more funds than Rahul Gandhi to campaign for LS polls
Congress gave Vikramaditya the highest ₹87 lakh to contest the elections while Rahul Gandhi received ₹70 lakh.
Published on Aug 31, 2024 10:52 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
US reiterates need for direct talks between Dalai Lama and China
Christopher Elms, the spokesperson of US embassy in New Delhi, said US president Joe Biden had in July signed the Resolve Tibet Act into a law because we agree with the sentiment of the law that it is there to protect the human rights of the Tibetan people
Updated on Aug 31, 2024 06:42 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Plans afoot to revive Kangra’s cooperative tea factories
Three of the four units set up between 1964 and 1981 were shut due to the high operational cots, losses
Updated on Aug 30, 2024 09:50 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
IIT Mandi’s robot-powered study decodes how animals find their way back ‘home’
IIT Mandi have conducted a study to understand how animals navigate back home after foraging even when confronted with unexpected detours
Updated on Aug 29, 2024 05:52 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Dalai Lama returns to Dharamshala after knee surgery in US
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama was welcomed by his devotees and well-wishers who had gathered outside the Gaggal airport and many were seen beating drums and performing traditional dances
Updated on Aug 29, 2024 05:46 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Himachal cabinet okays scheme to support widows, parents with disabilities
The state cabinet decided to implement Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana for financial aid to children of widows and disabled parents, and approved various infrastructure projects.
Updated on Aug 26, 2024 10:58 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Crores spent, but Dharamshala scraps underground dustbin scheme
Over 100 such dustbins were installed and had cost nearly ₹7 crore; panel formed to deliberate alternative use
Updated on Aug 26, 2024 10:55 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Paragliding World Cup to take off from Bir Billing on November 2
Billing Paragliding Association, Being Creative and state govt collaborating to host the second tournament at Bir Billing
Updated on Aug 24, 2024 08:12 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Panel formed to probe causes behind Una floods
Will submit report within 10 days after probing all aspects, including the reasons for the flood taking severe form
Updated on Aug 23, 2024 05:00 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
21 days of darkness: Himachal’s Flood-hit Malana cut-off from the world, awaits power
Delivery of essentials to Himachal’s Malana by chopper fails; admn plans to set up cableway to establish connectivity
Updated on Aug 23, 2024 06:28 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
District administration on toes as another landslide hits Shimla, key road blocked
A rain shelter also collapsed in the incident, which followed a previous landslide on the same road in Shimla
Updated on Aug 22, 2024 08:56 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Himachal: Chandigarh-Manali highway blocked due to landslide after heavy rain
Traffic was disrupted at Devnagar in Shimla town after a landslide; the weather office has sounded a yellow alert for heavy rain in isolated parts of the state till Wednesday.
Published on Aug 20, 2024 02:19 PM IST
Rain back with vengeance in August after Himachal’s June-July deficit
So far, during this year’s monsoon season, the state has received a rainfall of 418 mm lower than the actual of 535.4 mm rainfall received usually during the season
Updated on Aug 20, 2024 06:38 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
OPD services disrupted at Himachal hospitals as docs join Kolkata rape-murder protests
The healthcare professionals suspended both OPD services and elective surgeries and also carried out protest marches, demanding justice
Updated on Aug 18, 2024 05:30 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Dharamshala’s Tibetan tide ebbs, arrivals fall steeply amid China’s strict border vigil
Only around 10 to 15 Tibetans trickle into Dharamshala annually now, down massively from nearly 3,000 a decade ago
Updated on Aug 19, 2024 10:08 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala