Snowless in the Himalaya
The menace of vanishing snows now haunts the Himalayan region, taking away the very essence of the mountains for Indians and people from around the world. By Vipin Labroo
An International Collage of Art and Artists
The fifth edition of the international art residency ‘Chitrashaala’ concluded in Mukteshwar, inspiring over a hundred new artworks by artists from all around the world at the foothills of the Himalaya. By Bindu Gopal Rao
The Growth Malaise
Extreme climate change and the environmental catastrophe in towns like Joshimath are another reminder for the need of a sustainable, tenable, and all-inclusive model of growth. By Vipin Labroo
In Kullu, on the footsteps of the journey to ‘End of the Habitable World’
Personal Essay: In the exploration of a wondrous art museum and travelogue of the Western Himalayan region, Sudheshna Rana comes across time capsules that enrich the understanding of the region’s history, architecture, and mythology.
A Havoc in the Himalaya
An overpopulated trip to Kedarkantha made Aman Panwar reflect on the dangerous rise of ‘tourist-trekkers’ in the Himalaya, where unprepared throngs are destructing the natural habitat and profits are being made at the cost of environment.
What Makes a Modern Indian Minimalist?
‘The idea is not to renounce the good things in life, but to actually understand them.’ Vipin Labroo argues why India—with its vast inequality, unemployment, and environmental concerns—needs a shot of minimalism in the lifestyles of our burgeoning population.
Travelling Without Footprints
From the Himalaya to the coastlines, unchecked tourism is destroying India’s ecological balance. We can’t afford to return to our pre-pandemic state of a tourist-induced environmental catastrophe. By Vipin Labroo
Pardesi Pahadi: Splendour and Survival at Sahastra Tal
‘I was overcome with fear and awe, witness to a power I could feel but couldn’t comprehend’. In another account of his adventures in the Garhwal Himalaya, Zachary Conrad recalls a treacherous trek to Sahastra Tal.
Pardesi Pahadi: Avalanche on Apharwat
‘The avalanche went to ground; in its path all snow had slipped off the mountain, leaving only rocks and ice. For a moment the world was suspended in fear and dread. Chaos followed.’ Zachary Conrad recalls a fateful snowboarding adventure in Gulmarg and the lessons learned at the mercy of snowy, Kashmiri peaks.
Living Memories: A Glimpse of the history at Landour Bazaar
Photo Essay: Amidst the gorgeous Himalayan backdrop in the hamlet of Landour (Mussoorie) Gopala Krishna finds strange beauty in the old Bazaar, where history has long stood still for the local community.
Pardesi Pahadi: Raja’s Hut and the Kashmir of Iron Khan
Gulmarg’s Raja’s Hut was the subject of the 2018 documentary Iron Khan. Citing the film and personal experience, Zachary Conrad recalls the guest-house and its owners, in the foreground of the Himalayas, snowboarding, and insurgency in Kashmir.