As headlines of air strikes and grim conversations of imminent war darken our thoughts let us seek solace in the meditative hills in the cooling heights of Shillong in Meghalaya state. It's an idyllic way, to disconnect from awful headlines, depressing screens, rising summer temperatures and polluting environs, to abandon yourself to the charms of Nature’s endless bounty.

Back in the day, not many of you may be aware Shillong was the capital of the Assam Province under the British in September 1874, and remained so till January 1972. This massive tea growing state, with great reluctance, witnessed how Meghalaya, a new state in the Indian Union, was carved out of it, taking the beautiful hill station with it.