Gairsain(DE Bureau): In a resounding prelude to Uttarakhand’s 25th State Foundation Day, the two-day seminar at Bharadi Sain, Vidhan Sabha Bhawan in the summer capital of Gairsain culminated amid waves of enthusiasm and inspiration. Hosted by the International Parliamentary Research and Training Institute under the theme “Permanent Employment Generation: The Bedrock of a Developed Uttarakhand,” the event unlocked innovative pathways to livelihoods rooted in the state’s rich natural and cultural bounty.
Experts from sectors like culture, arts, agriculture, horticulture, homestays, small industries, and woodcraft shared hard-won success stories, blending traditional wisdom with modern enterprise. Hundreds of students from Government PG Colleges in Karnprayag, Gairsain, and Kotdwar dove into spirited discussions on self-employment prospects, transforming the assembly hall into a cauldron of youthful ambition.
Inaugurated by Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri, the seminar’s closing session saw her champion it as a cornerstone for economic empowerment. “This direction of creating sustainable jobs through local initiatives forms the foundation of a developed Uttarakhand,” Khanduri declared. “The experiences of those thriving in self-employment, bolstered by government schemes, will motivate students and villagers alike to embrace entrepreneurship as their future. In areas like homestays and agriculture, thousands of youth have already become self-reliant – a vital link to the ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’ vision.”
Direct Dialogues with Trailblazers
The palpable zeal among students was the seminar’s heartbeat. Participants from various colleges engaged experts in candid Q&A sessions, extracting actionable insights on startup challenges and opportunities. Anshul Rawat, a student from Karnprayag College, captured the transformative vibe: “This platform was a game-changer for me – a massive stage to learn from veterans on homestays and farming. Their insights have fired me up to launch a startup leveraging our hill resources; I’m already sketching plans to build my venture from the ground up.”
Similarly, Apurva Jakhmola from Kotdwar College radiated optimism: “Government programs are a huge lifeline for self-employment; we must hunt for opportunities right at home. The practical tips on homestays and agriculture have me buzzing with startup ideas – it’s empowering to see how we can thrive without leaving our roots.” Post-session, the young attendees emerged charged with fresh vigor, their notebooks brimming with blueprints for innovation.
Research-Backed Journey
Uttarakhand’s youth unemployment has long loomed as a formidable hurdle, with 2023 data pegging the rate at around 20% and leaving 40% of graduates without viable jobs amid outmigration woes. Yet, under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s stewardship, the state has scripted a remarkable turnaround. By April 2025, the unemployment rate plummeted to 4.4% – outperforming the national average – through targeted interventions that funneled opportunities to the hills.
In March 2025 alone, the CM extended self-employment avenues to 50,000 youth, prioritizing 30% for women via skill hubs and micro-finance. The Mukhyamantri Swarozgar Yojana 2.0 (MSY 2.0) equips migrant and jobless youth with loans, training, and market linkages, while the Devbhoomi Entrepreneurship Scheme (DUY) turbocharges homestay and agri-startups with grants up to Rs 25 lakh. The Madhu graham Yojana (Honey Farming Initiative) offers 80% subsidies for rural beekeeping, spawning eco-jobs in biodiversity hotspots. Just weeks ago, a state-backed program secured high-paying nursing gigs in Germany for 15 Uttarakhandi youth, offering monthly salaries up to Rs 3.5 lakh.
Udit Ghildiyal, Social Activist said This seminar dovetails seamlessly with these efforts, emphasizing cluster-based models that preserve Garhwal-Kumaon heritage while generating green jobs – from organic farms to artisan cooperatives. Aligned with Uttarakhand Vision 2030, the state eyes Rs 54,698 crore in credit potential by 2030 to align with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to stem rural exodus and fortify local economies. Experts concur: such forums are milestones in curbing migration and bolstering resilience against climate and market volatilities.
On the cusp of Statehood Day, this Gairsain gathering transcends mere discourse – it’s a clarion call for ‘Atmanirbhar Uttarakhand,’ fortifying the economic spine of mountain hamlets and empowering a generation to turn terrain into treasure.
