[lang_en]Shimla: To mark the auspicious occasion of foundation laying and starting construction of a hill cottage, Priyanka Vadra, daughter of Sonia Gandhi checked into Shimla for the ‘bhoomi pujan’ on Thursday.
The pandits who preformed the ceremony came with her from Delhi, claimed sources. Priyanka who had arrived in at Charabra, about 13 kilometers from here, on Wednesday evening, after attending to the ceremony early on Thursday morning flew back to Delhi later in the day.
The cottage plans were finalized and approved by Sonia Gandhi, who had specially visited the place a couple of months ago. Construction plans were drawn up for autumn, after the rains got over.
With breaking of ground, construction is expected to begin soon.The cottage to be built in a high security zone was granted special permission by the Himachal government as well as President Pratibha Patil. The presidential assent was needed because the 3184 square meter of land purchased for the purpose is close to the presidential summer estate ‘The Retreat’.
Though the frame of the house is proposed to be of concrete but the construction plans are to have it blend with hill architecture. The proposed two and half storey house would be using deodar and stone for the purpose.
Priyanka may have just finished the all important ceremony in the morning when unknown to her, issue of important leaders being given preference to buy land in that state found echo in the Vidhan Sabha on Thursday. Speakers mentioned the haste with which clearance was granted to Priyanka to buy the land.
However, chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal intervened and calmed ruffled feathers by saying that any important dignitary willing becoming a resident was a honor both for the state and the residents.[/lang_en]
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
At least we will have spic and span roads till Charabra!!
Even CM has appealed that we should not drag big names in controversy………. It is an acknowledgment to the fact that rules are for the fools (ordinary citizens) and elites of India are out of this purview. Great nexus of money and power.
We perhaps need Britishers back and reform the imperial design and the related attitude.