A Chill Pill in the Mountains

‘‘It’s so refreshing to be here. Full of greenery, no pollution… nothing else,’’ Irina jumps on to a rock, closes her eyes and opens her arms like a bird just freed from a cage, giving our lensman his picture of the day.

‘‘My mother says that she’s been bringing me to Kasauli since my diaper days,’’ Irina, better known as Tigerina in the golfing circles, smiles before adding, ‘‘however, my earliest memories of this place are those of skidding and playing on the snow. I must’ve been five then, seeing snow for the very first time in my life.’’

The kid grew up but kept her Kasauli connection intact. ‘‘It’s so close to Chandigarh (just 61 km). Whenever the weather was good, or every other weekend, we would load our gear into the car and drive up to Kasauli for family picnics. We still keep up the tradition, despite our hectic schedules. One hour is all it takes to get the feel of the hill station, and return all charged up. One needs a break like this to stay fresh, especially in our sport. It’s just a quick getaway.’’

And there is another ‘‘very important’’ reason why Irina is so madly in love with Kasauli — one that tickles her taste buds. ‘‘One gets delicious gulabjamuns at the Lower Mall here. I make it a point to visit those shops every time I’m here,’’ she chuckles.

Besides this, a visit to the 300-metre high Monkey Point, and a walk on the winding paths of the hill station are must-dos on this young golfer’s itinerary.

As she says on way back home: ‘‘If there is heaven near Chandigarh, it is Kasauli, it is Kasauli, it is Kasauli….’’