The second home of noted writer and journalist, the popular hill station of Kasauli would soon see the Khushwant Singh nature trail which would go from the market here to the plains of Kalka, a distance of nine kms.
Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh here inaugurated the Khushwant Singh trail and also participated in Khushwant Singh’s, 5th Annual literary Festival, an annual feature here which draws litterateurs and intellectuals from several parts of the country and abroad.
"Khushwant Singh was a thorough gentleman, a journalist of repute, a litterateur, a seasoned Parliamentarian and a treasure-house of vast knowledge besides having good sense of humour and it was proud moment for me to be a part of the festival," said Virbhadra Singh while presiding over the festival at Kasauli.
The Chief Minister said he was a regular reader of Khushwant Singh’s columns and some of his books inspired him the most. His books a Train to Pakistan’, ‘Delhi: A Novel’, ‘The Company of Women’, “Truth, love and a little Malice”, etc. leaves indelible impression on the minds of the readers, said the CM.
The 'Khushwant Singh Trail', a nature track, would be developed with an outlay of Rs 18 lakh, from Kasauli bazaar right down to the plains of Kalka, a distance of Nine kilometres.
He said the theme, ‘Breaking Barriers’, of fifth literary Festival, named after Khushwant Singh was perhaps dedicated to the cause of education of the girl child and the preservation of ecology. Kasauli was very close to Khushwant Singh’s heart as he owned a house here and used to come in summers and pen down his thoughts. He did much of his writing in Kasauli and many of his passions, such as his love of nature, Urdu poetry, concern for the education of the girl child, pride in the Indian soldier, his irreverence and humour, were nurtured in the environs of its hills.
Started in 2012, when the iconic writer was still alive, the festival is the only such event named after an individual and also the only literary festival held in Himachal Pradesh.
Rahul Singh, son of Khushwant Singh, who is also the Chairman of the festival, in his brief address recalled the hobbies of his father and said that he was committed towards girl education, and lot of people loved him for his honesty and frankness, but not all as he use to snub those whom he didn't liked at their faces. He said that he was agnostic but full of humanity and compassion, adding that Khushwant Singh was a great admirer of Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa. He had love for the nature and above all for the Indian soldiers, he added.
Former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah, Himachal Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, Dhani Ram Shandil, Station Commander, Kasauli Cantonment, Brig Deepak Sharma, Former, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, besides others were present.