Almost 4,550 metres above sea level, Lahaul and Spiti Valley are almost second homes to MS Gill, minister of youth affairs and sports.
After all, it was there that he landed as a young man, after being inducted into the civil service and subsequently he met Tenzing Norgay.
And though, it has been several years that his profession took him traveling across the country and the world, Gill asserts that he has never left his second home in heart. In fact, the central minister says that not only does he take his family to visit the mountains regularly, he also has recently sent Rs 5 lakhs for children in this region to help buy skis equipments and tents.
Gill says, “Most people in the civil services become greedy about their career. But, for once, my pleasure became my duty. I became the king of 5,000 square miles of glaciers. Spiti then was a barren piece of land. Till today, I am their godfather. They don’t look at Congress or a political party for help. I am their godfather.”
In fact his faith in the people of Lahaul and Spiti is so much that he even depends on their prayers for his well being. He explains, “If I have a problem in the government, it is not any gurdwara that will be praying for me. It is the people of Spiti and Lahaul who will pray for my wellbeing.”
In his recent travelogue titled Himalayan Wonderland, Trvaels in Lahaul and Spiti, Gill weaves many local tales that paint a vivid and colourful picture of a land whose glaciers are sparkling white. Gill also rues that most of the good travel writers are all white men and women. He explains his observation, “I feel really jealous of them. Indians have no curiosity really to explore the world around.
Gill also feels that it is almost a common norm that the ministers in Delhi do not want to travel anywhere except go to London and America.
He points out, “I do not travel for leisure. I can go to any corner of India, when I was just 30 years, I went to the Andamans because no one else wanted to be posted there. I have gone to Leh and given money to organize a polo match. Now, they look after my spiritual well-being.”
