Dehradun: As Uttarakhand marks 25 years of statehood with grand Silver Jubilee celebrations, the second Migrant Uttarakhandi Conference vowed to bridge the gap between the diaspora and their homeland. Held at Doon University, the event drew 199 participants from 11 states across India, fostering deep discussions on the state’s trajectory, sustainable development, and cultural preservation. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, inaugurating the conference, hailed the migrants as “true brand ambassadors of Devbhoomi” and announced the formation of a dedicated “Migrant Uttarakhand Council” to channel their contributions into key sectors like investment, education, health, and tourism.
Representatives from Haryana, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh attended the two-day event. While 287 individuals had registered, only 199 could make it due to various reasons. This marked the second edition of the conference, following its inaugural run in 2024. The sessions delved into critical topics, including sustainable development planning, circular economy models, cultural expressions of Uttarakhand, empowering women through livelihoods in the hill regions, and tackling public health challenges.
In his address, Chief Minister Dhami emphasized the migrants’ enduring bond with the state: “These individuals, though living far from Uttarakhand, have safeguarded our cultural heritage and passed it on to the next generation. They are elevating Uttarakhand’s identity to new heights.” Drawing from his four-year tenure, Dhami shared personal anecdotes of meeting diaspora members in cities across India and abroad, underscoring their unwavering connection to ancestral villages. He described the Silver Jubilee year as a milestone, urging participants to contribute to the development of their native places. “The government is committed to implementing your suggestions—that’s precisely why we’ve organized this conference,” Dhami added, assuring full support for investment and development initiatives.
Another key speaker, Sudhanshu Pant, Chief Secretary of Rajasthan and a proud Uttarakhand native, lauded the initiative: “If our migrants show interest in the state’s development, it will truly benefit Uttarakhand. This conference is a commendable step forward.” Pant revealed that he personally returns to his ancestral village multiple times a year to stay grounded.
Adding an emotional touch, Delhi Assembly Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht remarked, “Being a migrant doesn’t mean severing ties with our roots. Festivals and traditions bring Uttarakhand rushing back to our minds, filling us with pride. We must reconnect with our heritage with self-respect to amplify our honor.”
25 Years of Journey: Achievements and Lingering Challenges
Uttarakhand was carved out as a separate state on November 9, 2000, and in the ensuing quarter-century, it has scripted a story of remarkable transformation. The state’s economy has ballooned 26-fold, while per capita income has surged 17 times. Literacy rates, women’s education, healthcare infrastructure, environmental conservation efforts, and tourism have seen unprecedented growth. Currently, development projects worth ₹2 lakh crore are underway, positioning Uttarakhand among India’s top-performing states. It stands as the nation’s first to implement a Uniform Civil Code and leads in organic farming initiatives.
Yet, migration remains a stark challenge. Estimates indicate that between 2018 and 2022, over 3.35 lakh people left the state, contributing to a diaspora exceeding 5 lakh—primarily from the hilly districts. The rise of “ghost villages” has crippled rural economies, depopulating once-vibrant communities. The conference zeroed in on this issue, brainstorming solutions like circular economy practices and women’s empowerment programs to spur reverse migration and revitalize the hills.
The Silver Jubilee festivities, running from November 1 to 9, will culminate in a grand state foundation day event at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun on November 9, promising further announcements to harness the diaspora’s potential for Uttarakhand’s brighter future.
