The spoils of tourism from India

PERHAPS one need to be strong and healthy to live in Nainital, considering the settlement is patched on valleys.

Almost on daily basis, the labourers mainly from Nepal and China, I was told carry heavy loads of sacks on their shoulders from one place to the other. First time visitors to this region would marvel at the speed at which some of these labourers diligently work all day long. But that was the way things were suppose to be, after all, we have to work for daily bread.

Some of the hustlers in Nainital had been told by others about that the settlement was awash with a lots of opportunities. And it was not surprising when I was told there was a large number of Tibetans in the town. In fact, at the main tourist market, a banner read as thus: 'Free Tibet movement' .

We were told Tibet and Nepal were just a stone throw away from Nainital,which explains why there were pockets of labourers from these states. They looked old, yet I don't why my attention was drawn on them, may be it has do with their determination to eke out a living and send some money to their families back home.

A stroll at the food market once again offered me the unique opportunity to witness how the locals were coping in these bankrupt times. Fresh vegetables were displayed at various stalls, as usual the women were everywhere, selling, others who were housewives were busy haggling over prices. Considering the topography of the area, I thought there was no place for agriculture in Nainital. I was wrong.

According to tour operator, Ajay Bhalla more than sixteen thousand tourists visit Nainital every year. The peak season is April during which most of the town is covered with snow.

Those who travel to Nainital would perhaps not wrap up their stories without mentioning the legendary Naini lake or the horse riding exercise, and most importantly the lovers nest overlooking the township.

Due to illhealth and old age, I met a tourist at Priya in Delhi. ' I have heard, read books and watch documentaries on Nainital but I'm afraid I may never go to Nainital, my problem is climbing'

Not only her, some of my colleagues had some problems moving up and down the town, if you have money you better think of spending it wisely, otherwise the taxi drivers may rob you in the name of sight seeing. If you're planning to go to Nainital by bus; be prepared to be sit for at least ten hours from Delhi - 310km to Nainital.