Howrah-Delhi-Kalka mail celebrates 150-years of operation

The Howrah-Delhi-Kalka Mail train is certainly one of the most prestigious and oldest trains of the Indian Railways and it has completed 150-years of its existence. Its association dates back to the freedom struggle days when Netaji Subhas Bose, the greatest architect of Indian freedom struggle, boarded it from Gomoh, a railway junction station on the Asansol-Gaya section. It was in 1941 and Subhas Bose was in disguise and escaping from the British.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 3 January 2016.

The train dates back to the British period and, history was created as it chugged in at Allahabad junction on Saturday to mark its tryst with destiny. Apart from Netaji, the train was featured in a short story of Indian film director Satyajit Ray. The name of the story was 'The Mystery of the Kalka Mail' and in it, the three main characters travel from Calcutta to Delhi and on to Kalka on this train.
As far as history goes - the train was originally run by East Indian Railway Company and began operation between Calcutta and Delhi in 1866 as the East Indian Railway mail. Later, in 1891, its run was extended from Delhi to Kalka. It was used by the British civil servants to move to their summer capital in Shimla from Calcutta with the entire government machinery traveling on the train at the beginning of the summer months and returning by it at the end of summer. Both Howrah and Kalka had internal carriageways that ran along the platform so that the Viceroy and other high ranking officers could drive up to their rail coaches.

(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Tale of toilets in Shimla – Swatchh Bharat campaign

In keeping with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create a Swatchh Bharat devoid of open defecation, Shimla is taking a lead to install e-toilets or electronic toilets in the city known lovingly as ‘Queen of Hills’. By installing these latest gadgets imported from France, these toilets will not only save water but, also, provide proper sanitation to visitors and citizens.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india dated 17 July 2015.

Shimla has been recognized by France for being one among the three cities of the world that is taking collective steps on climate change.
It has been explained by Shimla Mayor Sanjay Chauhan that these toilets required little water as compared to the traditional ones because they are fitted with latest technology. Therefore, even if someone forgets to flush the toilet, it will flush automatically.
Moreover, these toilets are portable, hygienically maintained, and eco-friendly and can be activated by inserting a coin. These also have an automatic door as well as a washing mechanism.
A total of 125 such e-toilets would be installed beginning from opposite the Town Hall building at Mall and would be extended to other important locations that are in crowded areas apart from areas where it is difficult to construct toilets.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Global warming – snow on the Himalayas is melting too fast due to rise in temperatures

Due to sudden increase in temperatures within the last 72 hours, snow on Himalayas have started to melt rapidly and all snow-fed rivers like Beas, Parvati, Chenab, Satluj, Ravi and water streams are in spate with the level of water rising every day.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 20 June 2015.

With the snow cover in low-lying hills disappearing and water levels rising, warnings have been issued to people. The statewide night temperature has increased by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours and the day temperature has risen over 7 degrees Celsius within a week.
AS per Shimla meteorological Centre, Una in Himachal has a temperature of 42 degrees Celsius, the hottest in Himachal. Shimla (26.6), Dharamshala (31.4), Manali (27.8), Kalpa (25.8) and Solan (31.4). Incidentally, while night temperature in Keylong and Bharmaur was below 4 degrees Celsius 10 days ago, it is now above 10.5 degrees Celsius.
The result of the fast flowing waters from the hills is that it is resulting in soil erosion and bringing with it large amount of silt. These are settling down in the reservoirs of hydel projects downstream and also on riverbeds and are not good signs for the environment.
(Image courtesy wikimdiacommons.org)

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