Exceptional Hospitality Example of Indian Village Balh

We had been trekking since morning from Kareri village to Balh Village, By the time we had reached Balh, The legs were too tired & desire was to eat a wild country chicken. But wild or Country chicken was nowhere to be found. Our Host, Anil offered to ask her Mother "Nimmo Devi" to allow slaughter of their sole cock which the Vihan family had reared from last 3 years along with a hen for the supply of eggs ( Their source of protein).

TrekGuideAnilVihanHouseBalhVillage_2StoryHouse_MostLovingHomeStay

We were not very happy with this Idea, as we felt a little guilt. but we decided to wait what Anil's Mother has to say....( We had though that she will refuse as cock & hen was their only source of protein)

To our utter surprise, Anil's Mother Nimmo Devi agreed immediatly for sacrificing the Cock just for the hosts happiness..

BalhVillageHomeStay_CountryChickenOfferedforGuest_ByGraciousHosts

It is a unique example, in today's world where people have millions, yet they can not share even a small penny, here is the villager who has only one belonging & is ready to share the same with Hosts.

Finally we told our Hosts that we are not going for the meat tonight but will be happy with the vegetables stew. We did not wanted them to suffer later on.

HousesInBalhVillage_PoorButLovingVillage

As we were so tired, we ate our food & wanted to retire for Bed, But there is a basic problem.

Vihan Family has only 2 rooms in the Ground Floor, These rooms were nice & cozy, they were warm has had proper roof on them. On the first Floor, the only roof was Slates with gaping holes which allow chilly winds to pass through. Vihan family used the first floor rooms for Kitchen & Day work.

BalhVillageMostLovingHomeStay_GreatHosts_AnilandHisMother_NimmoDevi

We were just wondering, how the adjustment will be made for sleeping arrangement.

To our surprise, we were asked to sleep in the cozy warm rooms and whole Vihan family shifted to First Floor except their daughter "Rekha" slept in the next room to our room.

We were just wondering what kind of sleeping arrangement is this, where some members slept in cool wind swept first floor, While the Guests & Daughter were given adjacent rooms for sleeping in the night.

Such is their faith on Tourists, So innocent are the himachali villagers that they have full faith in their guests. Even in the night, no one from family came down to see if their daugher was safe. We too were so oblized & happy with the hospitality of the hosts that we kept the honor & slept like good boys through out the night.

Next Morning Came & Whole Family Greeted us with Hot Cup of tea and breakfast.

BalhVillageIndiaHomeStay_NiceCosyRoom

No Roads in the Balh Village

Balh Village So close but so Far...

No Road to Balh Village

Balh is so close to Naddi that Naddi hotels are visible from Balh Village, yet there is no road constructed to Balh Village. Himachal's many far off villages are connected with Roads due to ambitious PradhanMantri Sadak Yogna ( Prime minister Road Plan), But it is sad that still being so close to civilization, No Road is constructed to Balh. Villagers say that Hotel Mafia in Balh does not allow roads to Balh due to foowing reasons

1, Balh is more scenic & picturesque than Naddi, If Road is constructed, Tourists will prefer to stay in Balh than Naddi.

2. Camps can be set on the bank of the River in Balh, but Naddi has no such charm.

3. In Balh , tourists feel at home due to innocent and ever helpful villagers, Naddi is just a concrete jungle with Hotels around.

4. Balh has a soul & charm.

TeaBreakfastStall_BalhVillageAcrossStream

Beautiful_Colors_AroundBalhHomeStay

No Proper Hospital in Balh Village

Balh Villahe has one room dispensary, in which doc comes only once a week. Means Villagers have a wait one week before they see a doctor or they have to walk 3 hours to visit nearest hospital. When we woke up, Rekha & Tanuja were preparing to go to hospital as Tanuja has chest infection which can not be treated in Local dispansary, More over they have not seen doctor in one week, so family is getting impatiant to get the proper treatment..

BalhVillageSmallDispansary

Tanuja_Rekha_ofBalh_PreparingForHospitalVisit_3HoursfromBalh_1HourWalkToNaddi_1hourToNearestBusStation_FollowdByBusRideToDaramshala1

Other Problems of Balh Village

School only Till 8th..

Rekha_StudiedTill8thStandard_WantToStudyMore_ButHigherGradeSchoolsAreFarAway_JustARoadLinkToNaddiWillSolveAllProblems

We spoke to Rekha, who wants to study, but in the rains the village gets virtaully cuts off focing her to stay at home..

Can you help Balh ?? Please share your views