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Dar Ovais

Dar Ovais is the Dharamshala-based correspondent in the Himachal Pradesh bureau of Hindustan Times. He covers politics, tourism, Tibetan affairs and environmental issues.

Articles by Dar Ovais

Chinese govt’s policies threatening Tibet’s identity, says Sikyong

Tsering, while reading the statement of cabinet on the 66th anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day, said all these practices of China defies international and domestic laws, and basic human values

Sikyong (president) of Tibetan government-in-exile Penpa Tsering (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 11, 2025 06:06 AM IST

ByDar OvaisDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Dalai Lama’s two new Children’s books; ideal for calming activity

These books offer mindfulness for all ages and are ideal for calming activities before bed or easing difficult moments

The two books – Loving Kindness and Peaceful Mind – have been published by DK books on March 6. (File)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 09, 2025 06:30 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Brace for above normal temperatures in HP from March to May: IMD

According to IMD’s seasonal outlook, there is a high probability that the mean maximum temperatures are likely to be above normal over most parts from March to May

The weather office has predicted dry weather in Himachal till Saturday. (Picture only for representational purpose)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 08, 2025 09:52 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Himachal: Shopkeepers affected by Kangra airport expansion to be rehabilitated

Kangra deputy commissioner Hemraj Bairwa says the expansion of Kangra airport will be a boon for Himachal Pradesh and its people in multiple ways as it will boost tourism and also create new employment opportunities.

The expansion project, which is underway, aims to increase the runway length of Kangra airport from the current 1,376 metres to 3,010 metres. (HT file)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 20, 2025 05:06 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Antiques stolen from royal museum in Himachal’s Kangra

According to police reports, the thieves entered the museum from the rear side after removing the exhaust fan

According to the list prepared by police, stolen items include a pair of silver Khadau, 36 silver children’s toys, two antique revolvers and a silver tray. (File)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 19, 2025 08:20 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

After lean start to year, tourist footfall expected to rise in HP

Hoteliers from Himachal said the occupancy, which peaked after the snowfall in December and was nearly at 100% of New Year’s eve, has seen a slump since

January recorded the ninth-lowest rainfall in Himachal since 1901. (Aqil Khan/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 18, 2025 07:05 PM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Thrilling water sports coming soon at HP’s Pong dam

Tourists will soon be able to enjoy motorboat rides, cruises, boat experiences, and thrilling water sports experiences

The reservoir or lake is a famous wildlife sanctuary and one of the 25 international wetland sites declared by Ramsar Sammel in India. (File)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 18, 2025 09:16 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Himachal govt plans to give tea tourism a major push, to study Bengal model

Tea planters have highlighted that despite the historical significance of Kangra tea and the economic potential of tea tourism, the state government has yet to formulate a policy unlike in some other states

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recently said efforts were being made to boost tourism in the state, with a special focus on tea tourism. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 13, 2025 05:06 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

With over 200 cameras, Dharamshala to up surveillance, crack down on traffic violations

The officials said the cameras will surveil the areas within Dharamshala municipal corporation (MC) limits

The command and control centre will be located at the office of the superintendent of police in Dharamshala. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 12, 2025 07:08 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Dalai Lama’s elder brother Gyalo Thondup dies at 97

Thondup was 97 and had been suffering from age-related ailments for a long time; he lived with his two sons and their families near St Philomena’s School in Kalimpong

Born in 1928 at Taktser village in Amdo region of Tibet, Thondup was the second-eldest among the Dalai Lama’s six siblings. (Sourced)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 10, 2025 05:22 AM IST

ByPramod Giri, Dar Ovais, Siliguri/dharamshala

Himachal medical college bodies oppose faculty cadre merger

The association said that this policy, if implemented, will not only create chaos within medical institutions but also undermine the core objective of medical colleges – patient care, which is of utmost importance to the very essence of these institutions

Himachal government earlier this month, announced that it has decided in principle, to establish a common cadre for all future faculty appointments in all Government Medical Colleges and Super-Specialty Institutions across the state. (iStock)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 08, 2025 07:24 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Paragliding pilots for capping per day flights at Himachal’s Bir-Billing

The majority of pilots, who align with the paragliding pilot Union, also remained off work on Friday

In recent years, the spurt in paragliding mishaps in Himachal has claimed the lives of several paragliders, including some foreigner. (File)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 08, 2025 07:18 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Dharamshala MLA Sudhir Sharma receives threat letter

The handwritten letter, sent via ordinary post, was delivered to his residence in Rakkar village, Dharamshala and had death threats against him and his family

Chandigarh

Updated on Feb 06, 2025 10:15 PM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Record migratory birds descend upon Himachal’s Pong wetland

As many as 1,53,719 birds, of 97 species, were recorded this year, reveal the annual waterbird count

This year, the annual water bird count at Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary was conducted on February 1, with the participation of more than 100 personnel from the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (wildlife wing), Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), WII, bird enthusiasts, and local residents. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 04, 2025 05:58 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

With 84% deficit, HP’s January rain ninth lowest in 124 years

Lahaul-Spiti received the highest precipitation (23.3 mm). Una and Hamirpur districts recorded the highest rainfall departure with a 95% deficit compared to normal.

Snow-covered houses in Handwara of Kupwara as the upper reaches of north Kashmir receive snowfall on Sunday. (ANI)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 03, 2025 05:10 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Himachal: Glanders detected in Mandi village, equine movement restricted

Recently, a sample taken from a mule in the village tested positive at the National Research Centre on Equines in Hisar, prompting authorities to initiate sample collection for screening the equine population in the area.

Glanders is a contagious, short or long-term, disease that is usually fatal for the horse family. (Picture only for representational purpose)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 01, 2025 07:12 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

For second-shift flight ops, Kangra airport seeks more security measures

The airport will allow flights from sunrise to sunset, compared to the current single-shift schedule that ends at 2 pm

Airport director Dhirendra Singh raised the issue during a recent meeting with chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Dharamshala, attended by senior district and state officials. (File)

Chandigarh

Published on Jan 31, 2025 07:14 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Band baaja baraat but no bride in Himachal’s Una

Groom with 90-member wedding procession returns empty-handed from Singa village in Una on realising they have been duped.

Police interacting with members of the groom’s baraat (wedding procession) at Singa village in Haroli sub division of Una district in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 29, 2025 02:02 PM IST

ByDar Ovais

Himachal sees 79% rainfall deficit in January so far

All the state districts experienced a rainfall deficit in January with lower parts of the state being the worst affected with Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Solan and Una districts recording more than 90% of the deficit

IMD officials attribute this to a few western disturbances in January with lesser moisture influx. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 28, 2025 08:10 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Himachal cabinet gives nod to pilot study on cannabis cultivation

₹7 lakh relief announced for houses damaged in Kullu fire incident; establishment of a ropeway between Kullu bus stand and Peej paragliding point has also been approved

Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during a meeting in Dharamshala on Friday. (HT photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 25, 2025 07:06 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Dalai Lama’s new book offers insights into decades-long dealings with China

The book, Voice for the Voiceless: Over Seven Decades of Struggle With China For My Land and My People, releases on March 11.

The book, Voice for the Voiceless: Over Seven Decades of Struggle With China For My Land and My People, consists of the Dalai Lama’s personal, spiritual and historical reflections and will be released on March 11.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 24, 2025 03:35 PM IST

ByDar Ovais

Himachal tourism department seeks report on Dharamshala paragliding mishap

The tourist from Gujarat died while taking-off at the Indrunag paragliding site on Saturday evening. She fell along with her pilot who also sustained injuries

The tourist from Gujarat died while taking-off at the Indrunag paragliding site on Saturday evening (HT representative)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 21, 2025 06:42 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Himachal: At 26k, arrival of foreigners in Kangra last year highest since Covid

Kangra tourism deputy director Vinay Dhiman says sports tourism is emerging in Dharamshala. International cricket matches have contributed a lot, he adds.

Kangra saw arrival of 26,195 foreign tourists in 2024. (HT file)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 20, 2025 07:48 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Himachal CM Sukhu begins 9-day Kangra visit, to launch ₹675-crore projects

On the first day of his visit, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for five projects worth ₹19.55 crore for the Dharamshala assembly constituency.

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu lays the foundation stone of a project in Kangra on Friday. (HT photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 18, 2025 09:02 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Book, map with original names of Tibetan places to counter China’s claims: Sikyong Penpa Tsering

The Central Tibetan Administration is also planning to compile a book of old names of Tibetan villages and communities

Work on the map is underway and the completion of the process will depend on the level of details that will be included in the map, Sikyong (president) Penpa Tsering said. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 16, 2025 06:56 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Exile government calls for adequate post-earthquake rebuilding efforts in Tibet

According to a fact-sheet on the January 7 earthquake – which levelled thousands of houses and killed over 100 people in Tibet – issued by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), they have called upon China to provide timely emergency rescue and rehabilitation service along with medical aid

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 14, 2025 06:16 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Decades of dwindling: Drop in Tibetan arrivals raise concerns

The current trickle of Tibetan arrivals is in stark contrast to the 1990s and early 2000s when thousands would arrive annually from Tibet

Due to decline in the number of arrivals, the Tibetan Reception Centre at Khanyara in Dharamshala has significantly reduced activity in recent years. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 13, 2025 06:32 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

Tibetan education conference slams China’s ‘assimilative’ policies

The statement added that Chinese government’s policies in Tibet ‘fundamentally conflicted’ with the aspirations of the Tibetan people

The participants said that under China’s agenda of ‘Sinicizing’ Tibet, approximately one million Tibetan children have been forcibly admitted into state-run boarding schools. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 11, 2025 07:04 AM IST

ByDar OvaisDar Ovais, Dharamshala

‘Not Xizang’: Tibet govt-in-exile slams China’s ‘propaganda’

After the strong earthquake levelled thousands of houses and killed over 100 people in Tibet on Tuesday, Tibet was referred to as ’Xizang’ or China’s Xizang, in Chinese media coverage

Sikyong (president) of Tibetan government-in-exile Penpa Tsering appealed to the international community not to fall into the trap of Chinese ‘propaganda’ of using Chinese names for Tibetan places. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 10, 2025 05:46 AM IST

ByDar Ovais

Tibet earthquake a warning by nature to China, says Sikyong Penpa Tsering

Penpa Tsering, who attended the special prayer service in solidarity with the earthquake victims, said that the Chinese government should be mindful about the impacts of the mega projects in Tibet, particularly the one they announced last month; building a mega dam on Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) river at the location where the river takes a U-turn to come into India

On Wednesday, the Tibetan residents and sympathisers in Dharamshala gathered at the Tsuglakhang temple to observe a prayer service to express their support and solidarity for the tragic loss of over a hundred lives and the many others who were injured in Tibet due to the earthquake on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 09, 2025 06:48 AM IST

ByDar Ovais, Dharamshala

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Dar Ovais

Dar Ovais is the Dharamshala-based correspondent in the Himachal Pradesh bureau of Hindustan Times. He covers politics, tourism, Tibetan affairs and environmental issues.

Tsering, while reading the statement of cabinet on the 66th anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day, said all these practices of China defies international and domestic laws, and basic human values

These books offer mindfulness for all ages and are ideal for calming activities before bed or easing difficult moments

According to IMD’s seasonal outlook, there is a high probability that the mean maximum temperatures are likely to be above normal over most parts from March to May

Kangra deputy commissioner Hemraj Bairwa says the expansion of Kangra airport will be a boon for Himachal Pradesh and its people in multiple ways as it will boost tourism and also create new employment opportunities.

According to police reports, the thieves entered the museum from the rear side after removing the exhaust fan

Hoteliers from Himachal said the occupancy, which peaked after the snowfall in December and was nearly at 100% of New Year’s eve, has seen a slump since

Tourists will soon be able to enjoy motorboat rides, cruises, boat experiences, and thrilling water sports experiences

Tea planters have highlighted that despite the historical significance of Kangra tea and the economic potential of tea tourism, the state government has yet to formulate a policy unlike in some other states

The officials said the cameras will surveil the areas within Dharamshala municipal corporation (MC) limits

Thondup was 97 and had been suffering from age-related ailments for a long time; he lived with his two sons and their families near St Philomena’s School in Kalimpong

The association said that this policy, if implemented, will not only create chaos within medical institutions but also undermine the core objective of medical colleges – patient care, which is of utmost importance to the very essence of these institutions

The majority of pilots, who align with the paragliding pilot Union, also remained off work on Friday

The handwritten letter, sent via ordinary post, was delivered to his residence in Rakkar village, Dharamshala and had death threats against him and his family

As many as 1,53,719 birds, of 97 species, were recorded this year, reveal the annual waterbird count

Lahaul-Spiti received the highest precipitation (23.3 mm). Una and Hamirpur districts recorded the highest rainfall departure with a 95% deficit compared to normal.

Recently, a sample taken from a mule in the village tested positive at the National Research Centre on Equines in Hisar, prompting authorities to initiate sample collection for screening the equine population in the area.

The airport will allow flights from sunrise to sunset, compared to the current single-shift schedule that ends at 2 pm

Groom with 90-member wedding procession returns empty-handed from Singa village in Una on realising they have been duped.

All the state districts experienced a rainfall deficit in January with lower parts of the state being the worst affected with Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Solan and Una districts recording more than 90% of the deficit

₹7 lakh relief announced for houses damaged in Kullu fire incident; establishment of a ropeway between Kullu bus stand and Peej paragliding point has also been approved

The book, Voice for the Voiceless: Over Seven Decades of Struggle With China For My Land and My People, releases on March 11.

The tourist from Gujarat died while taking-off at the Indrunag paragliding site on Saturday evening. She fell along with her pilot who also sustained injuries

Kangra tourism deputy director Vinay Dhiman says sports tourism is emerging in Dharamshala. International cricket matches have contributed a lot, he adds.

On the first day of his visit, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for five projects worth ₹19.55 crore for the Dharamshala assembly constituency.

The Central Tibetan Administration is also planning to compile a book of old names of Tibetan villages and communities

According to a fact-sheet on the January 7 earthquake – which levelled thousands of houses and killed over 100 people in Tibet – issued by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), they have called upon China to provide timely emergency rescue and rehabilitation service along with medical aid

The current trickle of Tibetan arrivals is in stark contrast to the 1990s and early 2000s when thousands would arrive annually from Tibet

The statement added that Chinese government’s policies in Tibet ‘fundamentally conflicted’ with the aspirations of the Tibetan people

After the strong earthquake levelled thousands of houses and killed over 100 people in Tibet on Tuesday, Tibet was referred to as ’Xizang’ or China’s Xizang, in Chinese media coverage

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