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Despite HC orders, Himachal’s blind & deaf students denied hostel, library facility at special school Dhalli: NGO
SHIMLA- Umang Foundation, a public welfare trust, has yet again raised the issue of lack of facilities including that of a hostel for disabled (blind and deaf) students who have passed class 10 and intend to continue their studies in class 11 in the special school at Dhalli, Shimla.
Ajay Shrivastva, chairman of Umang Foundation, alleged that the government was violating orders of the High Court by not providing library facility to the blind and deaf students in the special school at Dhalli. Blind students need digital library apart from Braille books. There is no science laboratory in the school. The dead line fixed by High Court to appoint new teachers has also expired on 3rd December last year but there has been no move in the direction yet.
Also Read: Extremity of HP Govt.’s corruption – Swallows share of deaf & blind students
The Himachal Pradesh government has upgraded the school, being run by State Child Welfare Council, up to 12th but has not made arrangements for hostel. The kids students poorer families are being asked to live in P.G. accommodation.
Shrivastava met Governor and submitted a memorandum containing the problems of blind and deaf students. He urged the Governor, who is also the president of State Child Welfare Council, to intervene in providing hostel facility to the students who intend to continue their study in class 11.
Also Read: Despite High Court orders, disabled students in Himachal deprived of rights by Govt.
Ajai Srivastava said, “Neither the Council nor government thought about their hostel facility. These children are from poor families of far flung areas. They have been asked to stay in PG accommodation to continue their study. It is a cruel joke with poor disabled boys. The school authorities have declined to arrange for hostel accommodation. As many as 20 students, including 19 deaf and one blind, have passed class 10 recently. They cannot afford to live in private accommodation.”
He suggested making arrangements for senior students in the newly repaired three rooms on the campus or directing the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment to look for PG accommodation for them and make full payment of boarding and lodging.
Also Read: Visually impaired student from Sirmour cracks UGC NET in first attempt
“The government is paying PG bills of boys of government Home at Tutikandi who have joined ITI on actual basis orphan. In the same manner it should provide accommodation to the blind and deaf students,” he added.
Ajai Srivastva has been fighting for the rights of the disabled students for a long time. The government has not shown any support to him, so mostly he was left with no option but to approach the honorable high-court of Himachal Pradesh with Public Interest Litigations (PILs). However, HP government isn’t showing much interest in state’s disabled students, who are facing enormous challenges due to lack of special facilities required to provide them education.
Also Read: HP High Court’s landmark judgment brings huge relief to children with disabilities
It’s a matter of utmost shame for the government that the educational institutes in Himachal hardly care for special students. The infrastructure is not friendly-enough to allow movement of disabled students. Apathy of government still continues despite court orders like always.
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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