Ford Vs The Icons

Opposition to the project is also coming in from a local NGO, the Jan Jagran Manch, comprising people from the villages on the left bank. Prini, Shurru and Jagatsukh are some of the villages directly affected by the HSV. The Manch claims to be non-political, but it too has sought the blessings of Jamlu devta before beginning its campaign. They are now holding village meetings, distributing copies of the MoU and as general secretary P.C. Thakur, a retired headmaster, says, "trying to prevent a foreign company from taking over our hills". Villagers are also upset that the government did not consult them, the original rights holders of the resources in the higher mountains, before approving the project.

Even as all eyes are now on the February 16 assembly, Sims and his team haven't given up as yet. Says he: "We shall plead our case before the devatas and the local people during the assembly. When you ask the wrong question, you'll get a wrong answer. They should ask something like whether a project which gives jobs to 3,000 people should be allowed to come up." He is also at pains to point out that "it's not just foreigners who exploit India's natural resources. Look at the private hydel project near Prini village which has ravaged the hills. If an Indian company comes and rapes the hills, it's fine, but a foreigner like me who is obsessed with conserving the environment is opposed. We want to show to the Indians how a world-class facility can be developed. This will be a ski resort capable of hosting the Winter Olympics." HSV plans to launch an awareness campaign in the villages to counter the "disinformation" against it.

But for Maheshwar Singh and the villagers, the verdict of the gods is a foregone conclusion. As he points out, "The gods rarely differ. Since a couple of Kullu devatas have already expressed their opposition to the project, the trend is quite clear." With HSV officials also planning to present their case before the assembly of gods in February, the stage seems set for some divine drama.