CM Dhami Hears Uttarakhand Students' Dreams at Garhwal University Event

<p>Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday joined students from across the state at the 'Mukhyamantri Yuva Vidyarthi Manthan' programme, held under the theme 'Mere Sapno Ka Uttarakhand' at the auditorium on the Chauras campus of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University in Tehri Garhwal.</p>
<p>The event gave students a direct platform to share their views, suggestions and aspirations for a developed Uttarakhand, with the CM responding to their queries and offering guidance on a range of issues.</p>
<p>Dhami said the campaign had received an overwhelming response, with 2,67,744 students submitting essays and ideas. He said the thoughts expressed in those essays reflected the vision, sensitivity and commitment of young people toward the prosperity and bright future of the state. Appreciating the quality of the essays, he said it was difficult to decide who had written well and who had written exceptionally well.</p>
<p>Several students took the floor to share their perspectives. Seema Semwal, a Class 11 student from Rudraprayag, spoke about migration, telling the CM she had written her essay in two to three days, choosing the topic because she had experienced it first-hand. Dhami acknowledged that migration in Uttarakhand was of two kinds, permanent and temporary, and said moving out for education and employment was not always negative, as exposure elsewhere gave young people better opportunities. He also recognised the difficulties faced by women in hill areas, while noting that mothers and sisters in the hills continued to manage their families and communities despite challenging circumstances.</p>
<p>Shreya Semwal from Devprayag spoke on the need to expand employment in the hills while staying connected to one's roots, under the theme 'Pahad Rahein, Apne Rahein, Mere Sapne Rahein'. Priya, a student at Pauri's Government Engineering College, shared her vision for a developed Uttarakhand, while the CM said a developed India could only be built when every village, district and state became part of the mainstream of development.</p>
<p>Student Tamanna raised migration and low agricultural income, saying employment could be created even on rocky terrain. Dhami appreciated her positive mindset and urged youth to turn challenges into opportunities.</p>
<p>Srishti raised questions about public trust in government schools and hospitals. The CM cited the examples of APJ Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as individuals who rose from ordinary backgrounds to the highest positions in the country, and said students should remain aware of development works in their districts and contribute toward positive change.</p>
<p>Anushka from Rudraprayag spoke on preventing migration. Dhami said the government was working to provide electricity, water and other basic facilities in villages across the state, that more than 500 smart classes were currently operational, and that reverse migration was also taking place. He urged youth not to remain merely job seekers but to aim at becoming job creators.</p>
<p>Ishika Negi and Gaurav Bisht offered suggestions on tourism, environmental conservation and the Char Dham pilgrimage, with students also linking tourism to employment generation and the local economy. Student Mukesh Kushwaha suggested extending helicopter ambulance services to small villages and introducing skill-development training at the school level, a suggestion the CM called important.</p>
<p>The CM said the state had enacted strict laws against examination malpractice and cheating to ensure meritorious youth received fair and transparent opportunities. He also said initiatives such as the Mukhyamantri Yuva Yojana were being undertaken to promote youth talent in technology and innovation.</p>
<p>Dhami urged the youth to stay away from illegal substances and channelise their energy toward nation-building. He said the Uttarakhand of the future would be shaped by the dreams, resolve and hard work of its young people.</p>
<p>Student Aditi Gautam presented a painting she had made to the Chief Minister during the programme. Teacher and nodal officer Ankush was honoured for ensuring better participation, and Rudraprayag District Magistrate Vishal Mishra was recognised for achieving 100 per cent student participation from the district in the essay competition.</p>