'The railing at the edge of the cliff...my childhood Darjeeling.' Walking along the Mall following Anjan Dutta's nostalgia-laden song leads straight to Glenary's. The hill beauty seems to sulk if you don't take a photo with arms spread wide in front of it. The visit feels incomplete too. But just before Christmas, Darjeeling's popular restaurant Glenary's is closing down. This news has saddened tourists.
Bengalis have many memories tied to Glenary's, adjacent to the Mall. The Feluda connection is also a big factor! However, it's not just tea, coffee, and snacks – alcohol lovers also flock here. Many people drop by to see and taste the sizzlers at Glenary's Bar. Excise department officials came for an inspection last Monday. Warning signs were evident then. Subsequently, on Tuesday, a notice was issued to close the bar for three months.
The excise department has alleged there are 'irregularities' in the notice. Regarding this, Darjeeling District Excise Officer Gautam Pakhrin also said, 'Some irregularities have been found, so orders have been given to temporarily close the bar for three months.' However, what exactly kind of irregularities were found at Glenary's bar is still not clear.
Glenary's owner Ajoy Edwards, a leader of the Bharatiya Gorkha Janashakti Front, is unwilling to accept the excise department's allegations. His counter-allegation is, 'Permission was already sought from the district police for the reason cited for closing Glenary's Bar. That permission letter was supposed to be sent by the police to the excise department. But now they're saying the file has been lost. Actually, the intention is to close the bar.'
Aj0y had recently given money for building a bridge at the Chungthang tea garden. He alleges the excise department became active right after that. Ajay suspects this action was taken at GTA's instigation. He has also alleged that false cases have been filed against villagers involved in the bridge construction work.
Bengalis have many emotions tied to Glenary's
HOPE is written in front of Glenary's bar. Meaning hope. The bar will reopen again. Music will spread around the hills. Alcohol lovers will laugh in the enchanting atmosphere of tung-tang guitars, drinks, and sizzlers. Bengalis are holding onto this hope before Christmas.
