SHIMLA 1The allure of an aging queenBy Kishore Singh and Lesley A. EstevesShimla owes its character almost wholly to the British, who turned this stopover on the way to the temple of hill goddess Shamla into the summer capital of a sub-continent. The rest of its make-up is courtesy the governments of independent India. From part-time capital of India to full-time capital of a state, Shimla took it all in her stride, but the strain has begun to show. Many a tear was shed for their beloved Shimla when the colonisers had to leave. Even today, just a mention of their summer capital and the British stiff upper lip quivers in sorrow at the thought of what their paradise has become. But that's too bad, considering they were never meant to have been here in the first place.
We don't wish to comment here on which of the two regimes is responsible for the decline of this once `most fashionable summer resort' in all of India. What we do know, as any Himachali will tell you, is that, unable to reinvent herself, Shimla just isn't what she used to be. So, today, to appreciate the Shimla experience, we have to go into her past, sidestepping the present.
And indeed there is much to appreciate. For all the cracks on her façade, there is no denying the charm of this aging queen among hill stations. You can still count on gorgeous Himalayan views and make excursions to the untouched countryside around. Plus there's no denying the fact that Shimla is perhaps the best- equipped Himalayan hill station, offering a wide range of accommodation and other infrastructure. So ignore the fraying edges and make your way up here. The salubrious air and scenic views of the Himalayas act as a balm, helping you ignore the scars of over-development as you succumb to the charisma of Shimla's enduring past.