By Damanbir Singh Jaspal
Good evening Nrip,
Before joining the Academy in 76, I studied in Oak Grove School, Jharipani, Mussoorie, from 1958 to 1963.
The formative years of my life were spent in the lap and luxury of the Mussoorie hills amidst giant Oak trees.
Some of the most pleasant memories are of our monthly day trips to the Mall Road, Mussoorie. Still remember seeing ‘Guns of Navarone’ in Picture Palace. The most abiding memories are of pony rides on the Mall.
Years down, I used to come with my children and their cousins to Mall Road for the pony rides.
During our Reunion, I was joined by my son and grandchildren whom I had promised pony rides.
Imagine, therefore, my deep despair and sadness at seeing the Mall Road completely overrun by honking cars and 2 wheelers. Let alone poor ponies, there was no place for pedestrians.
Of course, the Landour walk was a pleasure, lunch at the beautifully maintained Rokeby, with its Scottish ambience and decor, and also the delightful Landour Bakery, a few minutes’ walk away. Being a Cantt area has probably helped in maintaining its pristine beauty.
About the Mall, Nrip, I see no reason why motorised transport should not be banned on the Mall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a ban in Shimla, I’m told.
Hope you can use your influence with decision makers to restore some semblance of order on the Mall and rescue it from the mindless chaos.
Sharing a sketch about the Mall and a few pleasant pics of Landour.
Jaspal wrote this letter to his batch mate, former Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, Nrip
Singh Napalchyal.
(Damanbir Singh Jaspal is a retired IAS officer of the 1976 batch Punjab Cadre now settled in Chandigarh. Recently, he was in Mussoorie to attend the Golden Jubilee Reunion of his batch at the LBS National Academy of Administration.)
