Himachal Pradesh weed farmers are eyeing the mega sporting event to sell their 50 metric tonnes of crop

Hash growers game for Commonwealth Games

Himachal Pradesh weed farmers are eyeing the mega sporting event to sell their 50 metric tonnes of crop

When it comes to the Commonwealth Games, the organisers are settling for nothing but the best.
But it is not just the engineers, the contractors and the administrators, who are trying their best to put up a fabulous spectacle, from infrastructure to facilities, for the participating athletes and viewers, but also a group of farmers in the upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh.

Representative pic

The growers of Malana cream, arguably the best hash in the world, are working overnight to ensure that they are ready to harvest their crop this year in time for the Commonwealth Games, which is being touted by the drug mafia in the hill state as the big ticket event for selling the hash.
u00a0
Bumper crop
And things for them have been going just fine, so far. According to conservative estimates, around 15,000 to 20,000 bighas of land is under cannabis cultivation this year. "Going by the size of the crop, it can be assumed that the yield this year can be around 50 metric tones," said OP Sharma, the former chief of Himachal Narcotics Control Bureau, who is considered the brain behind the cannabis eradication programme in Mandi, Kullu and Chamba districts of the state.

Sources in the state police confirmed that in view of the bumper crop this year, the hash growers and mafia are eyeing the Commonwealth Games as one big opportunity to sell their goods.

Business on
A hash grower in Manali told MiD DAY over phone that there have been frequent visits from agents of the local drug mafia, enquiring about the growth of the crop and telling him that he should be ready for an early harvest this year.

"Usually last weeks of September or first week of October is our harvesting season. But they have been asking us to get ready to harvest early this year, as Commonwealth Games are scheduled for the first week of October," he said, requesting anonymity.
It generally takes around 15 days for the hash crop to be transported to Delhi from Himachal, due to the perishable nature of the weed.

Even the Himachal police admitted they have destroyed more hash this year than ever. "I cannot cite a figure, but yes, we have never destroyed so much hash in a single crop season," said Anurag Garg, a senior official, who has just been transferred out of Mandi Range under which the infamous area of Manali falls where the maximum hash is cultivated.

When asked if the local villagers are involved in the cultivation of the contraband, Sharma argued that few people grow it as it has been banned by the government. "It's a myth that locals sow cannabis in the Malana area. It is now being sown on forest land which is around 150 bighas. There are 350 families in Malana out of which there will be hardly 50 families involved in this business. We do not know who the growers are. It is a big mafia, but mostly outsiders with international connections," said Sharma.

We're ready
Senior Delhi police officials said security during the Games would be so tight that no such elements could enter Delhi. "Even if they do, we will have our checks in place," an officer said, requesting anonymity.
No Games Organising Committee official was available for comment.

Holy smoke
Cannabis is used for making ropes, purses, chappals and clothes in remote areas of Himachal. Cannabis seed is used for making various popular dishes like sidku. It is also mixed with puffed rice as a welcome dish for guests in the remote hilly areas.

Cool Classics for the Games
Besides the world class infrastructure, foreign and Indian dignitaries who will participate in the Commonwealth Games will be treated to the marvels of the Indian princely states. While sportsmen from all over the world would fly down to New Delhi, vintage cars from garages of the erstwhile Maharajas will enthrall the public with their beauty in Delhi, adding an old world charm to the mega sporting event. Heritage Motoring Club of India (HMCI), after getting permission for a public display of the cars in the city, is looking for permission for a vintage car parade in the Lutyen's Delhi. And if everything goes well, the cars would also be used specially to drive around the VIPs and dignitaries in the Capital.u00a0
HMCI general secretary Daljeet Titus said, "The cars would be specially used for the VIPs and the dignitaries during the games. These cars would be driven by specially-trained drivers dressed in their original costumes." HMCI is waiting for the final approval from the Delhi police and sports ministry.
The sports ministry has already issued clearance for the public display of the cars, which will take place at Nehru Park from October 3-13. Total 75 cars would be on display and if permission is granted 25 cars would participate in the Heritage Car Parade in Lutyen's Delhi.
Titus ruled out any chance of break-downs and other problems. "These are well-maintained cars and there is no chance of any breakdown," he said.

Dial 111
The Delhi tourism department has planned to commission a special helpline to provide details of traffic, important tourist destinations and games venues. Besides providing the basic information, the helpline will also address complaints regarding overcharging by the autos and taxis while giving details of the hotels and cabs etc.
The department has asked the Information and Technology Department to allot 111 as the special helpline number. "The number has a special appeal in the context of foreigners who would be expected to visit Delhi during the Games," said an official.
The helpline would work on an integrated system which will continue to serve even after the Games are over and special dedicated staff would be trained to answer the queries.

Citizen cops
Delhi Traffic Police is looking forward to take help from locals to ease out the expected traffic congestion. Under a special scheme, the traffic cops are planning to hire residents over 18 years and with a minimum qualification of class XII to assist the local cops from September 25 to October 15. The forms would soon be uploaded at the Delhi traffic police website and the candidates can apply online. Besides the minimum age and educational criteria the candidates must have an e-mail id and a mobile number. While there is no ceiling over the number of candidates who will selected by the Delhi traffic police there would not be any remuneration as it would be a completely voluntary service.

Fitter, polite
Forget the old, pot bellied and rough-looking cops in PCR vans, the police are planning to deploy fitter and more agile PCR personnel in view of the Commonwealth Games. The specially selected younger men and women would be given behavioural training, including lessons in spoken English and other soft skills like how to interact with foreigners.
Out of the total 650 PCRs, 230 vans would be handpicked for the Games duty. Apart from manning the crowd, these vans would be equipped to deal with emergencies on road.

(with inputs from Anshuman G Dutta)