Shimla church bell silent for 35 years, will peal again

New Delhi, December 24 (ANI): A feel-good story, for now. 

After a long gap of 35 years, people in Shimla will get to hear the sound of a 150-year-old bell at Christ Church, which has not been functioning for decades. 

Victor Den, a local resident and a retired mechanical engineer, said he took it upon himself to restore the bell and the chimes of the church ahead of Christmas Day. 

Speaking to ANI, Den said, "People will be very happy to hear this bell ring again. It will be a nostalgic moment for them. Many people have spent their childhood in and around this church. We have fond memories related to the bell as well." 

"It was not functional for over 35 years now, so I repaired it. The bell took over 20 days' of hard labour to repair. I got many parts locally manufactured and bought the others from Chandigarh," Victor said. 

Most Christian denominations ring church bells to call the people to worship and convey the start of a mass or service. According to the locals, Christ Church was built in Shimla around the year 1857.