Kalka-Shimla Sahitya Rail Yatra
Shimla, April 12: A unique blend of literature, culture, and heritage came alive as 32 eminent litterateurs and writers from across the country set out on the Baba Bhalku Smriti Kalka-Shimla Sahitya Rail Yatra, organized by the Himalaya Sahitya Sanskriti and Paryavaran Manch. The two-day journey celebrates the legacy of Baba Bhalku, the visionary behind the iconic Kalka-Shimla railway.
The literary yatra was flagged off from Shimla Railway Station by Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Dhaniram Shandil, who also joined the initial leg of the journey. The group traveled from Shimla to Barog on Saturday, with a return to Shimla by evening. On Sunday, the journey continues by road from Kufri and Chail to Jhajha, the ancestral village of Baba Bhalku.
Minister Shandil, speaking at the flag-off, recalled Baba Bhalku’s extraordinary role in guiding British engineers during the construction of the historic railway line.
“When British engineers failed to construct the Barog Tunnel, it was Baba Bhalku who, with the help of just a wooden stick, showed them the way,” said the Minister, adding that Bhalku hailed from his region and deserves greater recognition for his contributions.
During the journey, writers participated in Gunji Kavi Sammelan (poetry recitation) sessions and interactive seminars, focusing on pressing social issues, including drug addiction, environmental protection, and cultural preservation. The initiative aims to blend creative expression with social awareness while highlighting the historical and natural heritage of Himachal.
SR Harnot, President of Himalaya Sahitya Sanskriti and Paryavaran Manch, said:
“This is not just a train journey, but a spiritual and intellectual movement. Through poetry, discussion, and cultural dialogue, we are giving a message of returning to roots, preserving nature, and confronting societal evils like drug abuse.”
The scenic Kalka-Shimla railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as a symbolic and soulful route for the writers, who found inspiration in the hills and history of Himachal.
This literary journey is being hailed as a creative tribute to Baba Bhalku and a cultural milestone in connecting India’s writers with its rich past and vibrant present.
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