Dehradun, May 11 -- We, the Citizens

Mussoorie is rapidly deteriorating into a concrete excrescence in the Himalayas. Beautification (ghastly word) consists of floodlighting in a series of lurid colours which the Creator shunned for even the most exotic flowers. But where have all the flowers gone?

We thought that the beastly attitude of successive UK governments had put an end to gardens in our little town. Marauding hordes of rhesus and langurs systematically destroy our flowers, vegetables and fruit trees. Our Governor is, obviously, a plant lover. But then he has security guards to frighten away the predatory simians. Not everyone is entitled to such tax-payer financed protection. And it is strange that our neighbour, Himachal, has ...