The Himalayas are a beautiful mountain range. The glacier lined passes of Kashmir and Himachal, steep valleys and pilgrimages of Garhwal, rolling hills of Kumaon and the verdant peaks of Arunachal that gradually slope into the North East are uniquely endowed with a timeless charm. It takes years to have a good glimpse of the Himalayas. With the mountain roads that are winding and bridges that are far in between, it often takes days to get across a few hundred kilometres. The peaks are to be seen from a distance as they are too remote to reach and require special gear and training to trek. People still walk for days to reach pilgrimages of Kedarnath, Yamunotri and the rest as the mule tracks in the mountain have remained just the way they were in the time of our fore-bearers. With all these, while the word 'Himalayas' brings to the mind a sense of beauty, serenity, spirituality and peace, it also reminds of how remote, unreachable, treacherous and cumbersome the route to the mountain is. For many people, it is a journey of life and often a brush with death. And when bad weather strikes the mountains, all hell breaks loose like it did last month in Uttrakhand. And for those who live in the villages that dot the mountain-scape, electricity, water and communication are a far cry.
I toured Switzerland last month and could not resist from comparing it to the Himalayas. Alps is not as high as Himalayas and Switzerland is just a fraction of the size of India. Although Switzerland lacks the talent and human capacity of the big and bright India, Alps is a tamed mountain of human will to reach and let others reach. Every peak in Alps is at the hand reach of anyone as the cable car lines and train network are drawn up to wherever one wants to go. The roads, bridges, air traffic and rail roads reach nearly every valley and peak, offering a multitude of means for the traveller to pick and choose his way to the top of Alps. Far flung villages in the mountain have power, water and internet and the villages are much more convenient and attractive than cities to visit and live in.
Rail network for beautiful JUNGFRAUJOCH Mountain, top of Europe, was planned in the year 1893, blasting work in the tunnel started in the year 1898 and the First station was opened in 1899 and after commissioning several new stations, Jungfraujoch railway station at an altitude of 11,333 feet was commissioned in the year 1912. Not only this at a height of more than 11,000 feet, various world class facilities such as luggage lockers, Panorama 360 degree Cinema experience, a terrace connecting two hills, snow games, ice palace, restaurants and shops are also created to take care of every demand of the tourists. A rail museum highlights how the construction was done some 100 years back. Not only this, they have also created a Whether Research Centre there to keep a constant watch on the Glacier and to record any atmospheric changes in the region. Similar kind of facilities are created in other mountains such as Titlis and Rigi also.
I also noticed that by stone pitching, banks of all rivers and lakes were properly sealed to prevent any kind of erosion which keeps the water absolutely clean.
It takes commitment, perseverance and imagination to turn earth into heaven. If a small nation like Switzerland with a limited access to talented human resource could do it, a large nation, like India, with an unlimited source of human imagination and skills can very well surpass it.
All we need is a dream, a plan, a resolve and a leader to change the landscape.
V.K.Saxena
President
National Council For Civil Liberties
