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Dar Ovais

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

Plans brewing to promote Kangra tea at airports, railway stations

The new measures aim to elevate Kangra tea’s profile and attract more consumers, ensuring this cherished local product gains the attention it merits on a national level

The Kangra tea is grown 900-1,400 m above sea level on the slopes of Dhauladhar range. (File Photo)
Updated on Oct 11, 2024 07:48 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

Shimla mosque row: Muslim body to challenge MC court’s demolition order

The mosque committee, which had previously offered to demolish the unauthorised portion of the mosque, has reiterated its original stance.

A Shimla MC court ordered the demolition of the top three unauthorised floors of the mosque in Sanjauli , Shimla (File)
Updated on Oct 11, 2024 07:46 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

Locals irked as Dharamshala Dal Lake dries up again

Dal Lake's drying has sparked local outrage due to its cultural significance. Fish were relocated as seepage worsens, raising concerns over ineffective restoration efforts.

Local residents during a drive to rescue fish from the drying water body. (HT )
Updated on Oct 10, 2024 09:24 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

Shimla court orders demolition of top 3 floors of Sanjauli mosque

The court ordered that the mosque committee and the Waqf Board will bear the cost of the demolition of the unauthorised portion

The case will be heard on the remaining part of the mosque on December 21. (HT File)
Updated on Oct 06, 2024 04:49 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

CM Sukhu denies ‘toilet tax’ claims in Himachal

While, interacting with the media at New Delhi on Friday, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said such claims are baseless and should not be used for political purposes

The controversy arose following reports suggesting that the cash-strapped Himachal government was planning to impose a tax of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>25 on toilets in urban areas. (HT File)
Updated on Oct 05, 2024 05:46 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

From living on the streets to donning doc’s coat, D’shala woman turns over a new leaf

Two decades ago, Pinky and her mother, Krishna, were struggling to make ends meet and begging in Mcleodganj

Dharamshala-based doctor Pinky Haryan (File)
Updated on Oct 04, 2024 10:36 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

Himachal assembly panel to invite public suggestions for street vendors’ policy

Urban development department to invite public suggestions, present them to the panel at the next meeting

Panel also advised to should be provisions to regulate street vendors in rural areas as well. (File)
Updated on Oct 04, 2024 10:34 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

Monsoon season wraps up, leaves Himachal with 18% rain deficit

The monsoon season typically lasts from June to September in the state, but has a delayed departure this year, as per IMD

This year, the monsoon entered the state on June 27 and covered it entirely by June 29 (File)
Updated on Oct 02, 2024 10:22 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

56 years after IAF plane crash over Rohtang La, four bodies recovered

The tragedy dates back to February 7, 1968, when an IAF AN-12 aircraft, carrying 102 passengers, went missing after taking off from Chandigarh.

The bodies were recovered near the Chandrabhaga range 13 peak near Batal in Himachal’s Lahaul and Spiti district. (File)
Updated on Oct 01, 2024 04:03 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

Vikramaditya Singh meets Mallikarjun Kharge, reiterates commitment to Congress values

During the meeting, Vikramaditya Singh assured Mallikarjun Kharge of his commitment to the party’s ideology and principles before conveying that the state government will work on the basic tenets

Himachal minister Vikramaditya Singh calls on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi. (ANI)
Updated on Sep 30, 2024 09:14 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

Vikramaditya meets Kharge, assures commitment with party values

Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh met party chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday and conveyed his loyalty to the party’s ideology

Himachal Pradesh Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI)
Updated on Sep 30, 2024 07:36 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

Hindu outfits take out rally in Himachal, want Waqf Board scrapped

Protesters accuse the Congress government in the state of procrastinating over the Sanjauli mosque issue.

A protest in Shimla on Saturday. (HT photo)
Updated on Sep 29, 2024 08:42 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

Stir in Himachal to demand Waqf Board abolition, migrants’ scrutiny

Later in the day, another protest was staged at Chaura maidan in Shimla, demanding demolition of the “illegal” portion of the mosque in Sanjauli.

Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti members protest in Shimla on Saturday. (ANI)
Updated on Sep 29, 2024 04:51 AM IST

Vikramaditya says HP nameplate remark should not be compared with another state

After urban development minister shared a post on social media, stating that fast-food stalls will have to display the owner’s ID, Himachal govt clarified no such decision had been taken.

Himachal Pradesh urban development minister Vikramaditya Singh on Friday said his statement about the display of nameplates by vendors on stalls should not be politicised or related to any other state. (HT file photo)
Published on Sep 27, 2024 04:00 PM IST

No decision for mandating display of nameplates so far: Himachal government

The development comes a day after Himachal urban development minister Vikramaditya Singh had said every restaurant and fast food stall in the state will have to display the owner’s ID

A spokesperson said the government was committed to address the concerns of street vendors. (File)
Updated on Sep 27, 2024 09:18 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

AIMIM leader’s remarks on Sanjauli mosque triggers row

The leader’s comments, made in a video post after a visit to the complex, drew sharp reactions from various people including public works minister Vikramaditya Singh

The alleged illegal structure of the mosque in Shimla’s Sanjauli. (File)
Published on Sep 26, 2024 06:35 PM IST
By, Dharamshala

Queen of faux pas? Ranaut retracts farm comment in damage control

Mandi parliamentarian Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday retracted her controversial comments on three withdrawn farm laws.

This is the second time in two months that Kangana Ranaut’s rash remarks on the 2020-21 farmer agitation has forced her party to reprimand her, and ultimately made her retract the comment. (PTI)
Updated on Sep 26, 2024 06:15 AM IST

Amid SADA row, Gunehar panchayat demands recognition in Paragliding events

The resolution also demands that the panchayat receive revenue from the barrier installed at the Billing valley takeoff site, which falls under its jurisdiction and have threatened to close the site if their demands are not met

Himachal attracts thousands of adventure seekers every year, including paragliding enthusiasts from across the world. (HT Photo)
Updated on Sep 25, 2024 06:32 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

‘Intellectual bankruptcy’, Congress slams Kangana over remarks on HP funds being diverted to Sonia Gandhi

Kangana Ranaut had alleged that the hill state has “empty coffers” as “the Congress government takes loans which it then gives to Sonia Gandhi, the ex-president of the party”

BJP Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut (Filr)
Updated on Sep 24, 2024 07:22 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

Rise in cancer cases sets alarm bells ringing in Himachal

The state government has recently announced the decision to provide 42 medicines free of cost to cancer patients at government hospitals

Himachal has 32,909 cancer cases registered at the state’s six medical institutes. (Getty Images)
Published on Sep 22, 2024 09:18 PM IST
By, Dharamshala

Kinnaur hydro power project to be handed over to Himachal power corporation

Last year, the Himachal government had decided to cancel the allotment of the project to the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) over tardy construction work

Himacahl CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presiding over the cabinet meeting. (HT)
Updated on Sep 21, 2024 05:56 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

Himachal: Mandi MC cuts power, water supply to mosque over illegal structure

After last week’s protests seeking demolition of a portion of a mosque built on encroached govt land, MC commissioner HS Rana says structure has been found to be illegal and the masjid committee has been given month to remove it.

A market in Dharamshala was closed till Friday noon and a protest was also held by Hindu organisations in the town’s Kotwali Bazaar against the influx of unverified migrant workers. (HT Photo)
Published on Sep 20, 2024 02:53 PM IST

‘Xizang’ replacing ‘Tibet’ in French museums: Irked Tibetan govt in-exile flags ‘distortion of history’

The move is being viewed as the issue of China’s Sinicisation of Tibet and part of China’s campaign to reshape the world’s understanding of the region

The Tibet Museum has written a letter to the concerned French museums, urging them to restore the proper representation of Tibet. (File)
Published on Sep 19, 2024 10:56 PM IST
By, Dharamshala

Mosque row: Himachal Muslim delegation meets KC Venugopal as protests continue

Congress party’s national chairman of minority department and Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi also accompanied the delegation

On Thursday, Hindu organisations held a massive protest rally in Nerwa town demanding immediate action against alleged ‘illegal’ moques and verification of migrant workers coming to the place. (HT Photo)
Published on Sep 19, 2024 10:51 PM IST
By, Dharamshala

Himachal CM Sukhvinder Sukhu criticises Ravneet Bittu’s remark on Rahul Gandhi

CM Sukhu said that minister of state in Union government Ravneet Bittu had all praise for Rahul Gandhi when he was the Member of Parliament from Congress, but now he has compromised all his moral values in pursuit of power.

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (HT File)
Updated on Sep 19, 2024 06:52 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

Now residents flag ‘illegal’ mosque in Shimla’s Kasumpti

The residents alleged that a mosque situated in Kasumpti market was illegal and should be immediately demolished

Locals in Mandi have also sought an archaeological excavation of a mosque located at Jail Road, days after a protest was held over an encroached portion of the mosque. (HT image for representation)
Published on Sep 18, 2024 07:48 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

Now, protests against outsiders pick up pace in Himachal

On Monday, the market in Solan remained closed until noon in response to a call from local traders protesting the increasing number of migrants from other states

Members of the Solan Beopar Mandal expressed growing security concerns due to the rising number of migrant labourers and workers in the district, and urged the administration to address this issue to safeguard the interests of local traders and residents. (HT File)
Published on Sep 16, 2024 10:00 PM IST
By, Dharamshala

After 2 months, Paragliding resumes in Himachal Pradesh

Due to the arrival of the monsoon, the tourism department in Kangra has decided to suspend the paragliding activities for two months, starting July 15

Billing Paragliding Association president Anurag Sharma said, “Paragliding activities resumed and today around 300 tandem flights were made on the first day. The activities, however, will increase in the coming days, with over 1,000 tandem flights in a day,” he said. (HT File)
Published on Sep 16, 2024 09:52 PM IST
By, Dharamshala

Himachal: State to soon acquire land for airport expansion in Kangra

Himachal Pradesh to acquire 122 hectares for Kangra airport expansion, displacing 942 families. Objections hearings set from Oct 18 to Nov 11.

The project aims to increase the runway length of Kangra airport from the existing 1,372 metres to 3,110 metres. (HT FIle)
Updated on Sep 16, 2024 05:04 AM IST
By, Dharamshala

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.

Police resorting to water cannons after protesters try to break barricades at Jail Road, Mandi. (Birbal Sharma/HT)
Updated on Sep 14, 2024 01:57 AM IST
By, Dharamshala
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