33 Writers Set to Trace Baba Bhalku’s Forgotten Tracks
Himachal Minister Dr. Dhani Ram Shandil (Retd Col) to Flag Off Baba Bhalku Kalka-Shimla Literary Rail Yatra on April 12
Ferozepur/Shimla, April 9, 2025: The enchanting Kalka-Shimla toy train will carry more than just its passengers this April—it will have tales of tribute to Baba Bhalku, the unschooled yet intuitive engineer who played a pivotal role in shaping the iconic rail route through the Himalayas.
Dr Col Dhani Ram Shandil, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Himachal Pradesh, will be the chief guest of the event. He will honour the writers and flag off Baba Bhalku Kalka-Shimla Rail Yatra.
Organized by the Himalaya Sahitya Sanskriti Evam Paryavaran Manch, the two-day Baba Bhalku Smriti Kalka-Shimla Literary Rail Yatra on April 12–13, 2025, will see 33 writers from across India embark on this unique journey. The event aims to highlight the life and contributions of Bhalku, whose unparalleled instincts often guided British engineers during the railway's challenging construction. Despite his vital role, his legacy remains underrecognized in history.
The writers/authors participating in the tour include Prof. Hubnath Singh, Raman Mishra, Dr. Arjun Parat, Dr. Pramod Yadav, Dr. Shashi Srivastava from Mumbai, E. S. P. Singh from Patna, Bihar, Madhur Kulshreshtha and Neelam Kulshreshtha from Guna, Madhya Pradesh, Rajesh Arora from Kanpur, Harish Monga from Ferozepur (Punjab), Sunaini Sharma from Chandigarh, Seema Gautam from Kiratpur, (Punjab), Priyamvada Sharma from Sundar Nagar, Rachna Pathania from Kangra, Anil Sharma Neel from Bilaspur, Anju Anand from Solan, Jagdish Bali and Hitendra Sharma from Kumarsain, Dr. Vijay Laxmi Negi, Salil Shamsheri, Daksh Shukla, Sneh Negi, Jagdish Kashyap, Lekhraj Chauhan, Deepti Saraswat, Dr. Dev Kanya Thakur, Vandana Rana, Hemlata Sharma, Shanti Swaroop Sharma, Virendra Kumar, Jagdish Gautam and Yadav Chand from Shimla.
The literary journey offers an opportunity for participants not only to engage in creative discussions but also to revive the near-forgotten legend of this self-taught savant. Festival organizers have noted that involving a British participant would have symbolically reunited the colonial architects with the native genius who repeatedly resolved their construction dilemmas.
Alongside honouring Bhalku’s contributions, the festival will shine a spotlight on other custodians of cultural and historical preservation. Broadcasting veteran and theatre stalwart B.R. Mehta will be bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Also, in a heartfelt gesture, Bhalku’s descendant, Durgadatt, will be honoured.
This celebration bridges history, culture, and creativity, ensuring Baba Bhalku’s contributions are celebrated with the reverence they deserve.